There is growing speculation that the United States could soon initiate dialogue with the militant group Al-Shabaab to help resolve Somalia’s long-standing conflict, according to Hamza Warfa, a former senior advisor at the U.S. State Department.
In a recent interview, Warfa emphasized that continued military efforts against Al-Shabaab have largely failed to bring peace or stability to Somalia over many years. He described the ongoing reliance on force as ineffective and called for alternative approaches, including negotiations.
Warfa also revealed that the previous Trump administration might have already begun exploring the possibility of engaging Al-Shabaab in peace talks. He plans to meet with current U.S. officials to advocate for this diplomatic path, highlighting the importance of safeguarding American interests while offering Somalis hope for a peaceful future after decades of violence.
Al-Shabaab is an extremist militant group linked to Al-Qaeda, which has been active in Somalia since the mid-2000s. The group aims to impose its own strict Islamic concept and has carried out numerous attacks both within Somalia and in neighboring countries. Despite military pressure from Somali forces and international allies, Al-Shabaab remains a significant threat to stability in the region.
As Somalia continues to struggle with conflict and political instability, renewed peace efforts involving direct talks with militant groups like Al-Shabaab could mark a critical shift in strategy toward ending the violence.