Somali President opens religious conference promoting "One Somalia"

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud inaugurated the second conference of Somali religious scholars and clerics in Mogadishu on Monday to increase unity and togetherness among the Somali people.

The three-day event, themed "One Somalia," brings together over a hundred religious leaders and clerics from various regions of Somalia and abroad. Key topics on the agenda include anti-terrorism, Somali governance, secession, and social threats.

President Mohamud highlighted the challenges facing the Somali people and government, emphasizing the crucial role of religious scholars in combating the influence of terrorists who mislead Somali youth and commit crimes in the name of Islam. 

"The government is responsible for protecting the existence of the people and the country, especially religion, language, unity, and solidarity, which are the heritage of the Somali people. Religion is the first thing that unites us. There are many dangers. Those who wish to divide our people cannot do so by tribe or region, which is why the Khawarij and others who oppose our unity have targeted our noble religion to cause discord," he said.

The Somali government recently updated itsnational security threat list to include separatism, terrorism, state fragility, open borders, foreign interference, climate change, cybersecurity risks, and social crisis risks. 

The conference occurs amid tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia following a contentious Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland earlier this year. The agreement, which includes port access and establishing an Ethiopian naval base in exchange for recognition of Somaliland's independence, has been a significant point of contention.

Somalia views the MoU as a violation of its sovereignty, leading to heightened tensions and accusations that Ethiopia is undermining Somalia's territorial integrity.