Mogadishu — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has announced an amnesty for young members of Al-Shabaab, urging them to lay down their arms and reintegrate into society.

Speaking at the onset of the Holy Month of Ramadan, President Mohamud appealed directly to Somali youth who have joined the group, stating that many were misled or manipulated into extremism. He emphasized that Ramadan represents a period of reflection, forgiveness, and renewal.

“Young people have been misled into the path of destruction. The government is ready to welcome you back. This holy month of Ramadan is a time for peace and a time for return. Lay down your arms and you will find a place among your people once more,” the President said.

The Federal Government of Somalia stated that individuals who surrender will be offered structured rehabilitation programmes, including vocational training, psychological support, and community reintegration services.

The announcement comes amid intensified military operations by the Somali government against Al-Shabaab, particularly in central and southern regions of the country. Authorities report that key operational bases and elements of the group’s extortion networks have been dismantled, and financial accounts linked to the militants have been frozen.

Al-Shabaab has waged an insurgency in Somalia for more than 15 years. While the group has recently lost significant territory to the Somali National Army and allied forces, security analysts warn that it has increasingly turned to recruiting minors in rural areas through deception and coercion.

Officials say the Ramadan amnesty initiative forms part of a broader strategy to weaken the group’s manpower without further bloodshed, offering a non-violent pathway for disengagement and reconciliation.