In Somalia, al-Qaida-affiliated militant group al-Shabab has been on a gradual retreat for months, and this could be the beginning of their end, experts told VOA. The president’s announcement came as local clans in central Somalia were revolting against the presence and the oppression of al-Shabab in their territories. The militant group grew and took control of large territories. It was the first time in years that Somali clerics from all sects of Islam came together to denounce terrorism. Somali Prime Minister Hamza Barre said in his closing speech at the conference that the coming together of Somali clerics from different ideological persuasions could be the end of al-Shabab’s religious influence in Somalia.

Source: Ethiopian News January 29, 2023 08:11 UTC