Somali leader vows to defeat al-Shabab extremists in 2 years

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – Somalia’s president says his country has a comprehensive plan to defeat the extremist group al-Shabab within two years.

Mohammed Abdullahi Mohammed spoke Wednesday during his first visit to neighbouring Ethiopia since taking office in February. The Somalia-based al-Shabab has stepped up attacks since his election and vowed revenge for Somalia’s new military offensive against the group.

Mohammed says his government’s plan to defeat al-Shabab includes support from regional countries. He calls the extremist group “a disease” that isn’t interested in humanity.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn is calling on the international community to come up with a plan for Somalia’s reconstruction after a quarter-century of chaos. Ethiopia has troops with an African Union mission in Somalia fighting al-Shabab.

The leaders spoke ahead of a London conference on Somalia next week.