Faith Nyasuguta
In a troubling trend of rising insecurity across Africa, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has become the latest head of state to endure a daring attack. The assault, allegedly carried out by Al Shabaab militants, targeted the president’s motorcade with a bomb as it left the presidential palace in Mogadishu on Tuesday.
Al Shabaab, the al-Qaeda-linked militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating, “Our fighters targeted a convoy of vehicles carrying Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as they were leaving the presidential palace and heading to the airport.” The statement was posted on the group’s Telegram channel, according to Reuters.
Thankfully, President Mohamud escaped unharmed. Two senior government and military officials confirmed his safety, while presidential adviser Zakariye Hussein reassured the public, posting on X that the president was “good and well on his way to the front lines.”
The attack occurred as President Mohamud prepared to visit the Middle Shabelle region, where Somali forces are actively engaged in operations against Al Shabaab insurgents. Extending his visit to the front lines, the president aimed to boost troop morale as government forces confront a three-week-old offensive by the militant group. Clad in military fatigues and carrying a sidearm, President Mohamud flew via helicopter to frontline areas. State media released images shortly after the attack, showing the president in Middle Shabelle, engaging with soldiers and assessing the ongoing conflict.
This assault marks the latest in a series of recent attacks targeting African heads of state. In May 2024, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) thwarted an attempted coup involving both Congolese and foreign fighters. Armed men stormed the presidency in Kinshasa, prompting swift action from the DRC’s military.
Authorities later confirmed the death of the coup’s leader and arrested about 50 individuals, including three U.S. citizens. Another attack occurred at the home of Vital Kamerhe, a high-ranking politician poised to become the DRC’s parliamentary speaker.
Earlier in 2025, Chad’s presidential complex came under fire just hours after a visit from China’s Foreign Minister. President Mahamat Idriss Deby was inside the complex during the attack. The Chadian government reported 19 fatalities in the ensuing clash, 18 of whom were identified as members of the group responsible for the assault.
These bold attacks highlight the persistent instability and threats faced by African nations. Al Shabaab continues to pose a major security challenge for Somalia, launching frequent attacks against government forces and civilians in its long-standing campaign to overthrow the Somali government.
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