IMCTC Launches “Media for Peace” Initiative in Somalia to Counter Extremist Propaganda

Saudi-backed initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of Somali media to effectively counter hate speech, disinformation and terrorist propaganda

Mogadishu, Saturday, August 22, 2026: With the support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and in the presence of Somalia’s senior government, security and military leadership, the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) has launched its strategic “Media for Peace” initiative in Mogadishu. The initiative aims to strengthen the national capacity of Somali media to effectively counter extremist narratives, hate speech, disinformation and propaganda disseminated by terrorist organizations.

The initiative seeks to highlight the media’s role as an active partner in protecting national security, promoting social peace and strengthening society’s resilience against extremist ideologies, particularly in the rapidly evolving digital environment.

The event was attended by Somalia’s Minister of Defence and Commander of the Somali Army, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi; Secretary-General of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, Major General Pilot Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Mughidi; ministers of justice, security, and religious endowments and affairs; the State Minister for Ports and Maritime Transport; the head of the National Security Office; the police chief; the head of the prison service; the Deputy Foreign Minister; the Deputy Head of National Intelligence and Security; as well as senior officials and other figures involved in counter-terrorism efforts.

The participation of senior government, security and military officials highlighted the strategic importance of media in contemporary counter-terrorism efforts. Extremist organizations are no longer confined to traditional battlefields but are increasingly using digital platforms to spread propaganda, manipulate information, create divisions within societies, recruit individuals and promote hateful narratives.

As part of the “Media for Peace” initiative, the IMCTC is also conducting a specialized training programme titled “Analysis of Extremist and Hate Narratives in Digital Media: Tools and Techniques for Effective Countermeasures.” The programme is being attended by 40 experts and participants, including journalists, media professionals, academics and specialists working in counter-terrorism-related media fields.

Addressing the event, Somali Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said that combating terrorism cannot be limited to military and security measures alone. He stressed the need for a responsible and informed media narrative capable of countering disinformation, social division and extremist propaganda while promoting moderation, coexistence and social cohesion.

He described the media as a national partner in protecting Somalia’s national security and strengthening social peace, while appreciating the role of the Saudi-led IMCTC in enhancing national capacities, developing trained media professionals and improving the counter-terrorism capabilities of member states.

Ahmed Moallim Fiqi reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to collective efforts against terrorism and to preventing its ideological, media and financial sources, with the ultimate objective of protecting societies and promoting security and stability.

IMCTC Secretary-General Major General Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Mughidi said that the launch of the “Media for Peace” initiative in Somalia represents a continuation of the Coalition’s approach of transforming joint counter-terrorism cooperation into practical programmes and initiatives that strengthen national capabilities and enable societies to confront extremist ideologies and narratives.

He noted that terrorist organizations are no longer active only on traditional battlefields but are also operating extensively in the media and digital spheres, where they exploit the speed and broad reach of digital platforms to spread disinformation, produce propaganda, influence public opinion and recruit individuals or encourage them toward extremism.

The IMCTC Secretary-General emphasized that professional and well-informed media specialists represent a critical first line of defence in the fight against terrorism.

Al-Mughidi explained that the “Media for Peace” initiative seeks to transform media professionals from mere information transmitters into active specialists equipped with the skills required to analyze, verify, identify and effectively counter extremist content.

The training programme covers modern tools and techniques, including digital verification and open-source intelligence, image and video analysis, content-distribution analysis, identification of fake accounts and automated bots, narrative and textual analysis techniques, detection of coordinated influence operations, and network and relationship analysis.

Participants are also being trained to understand the psychological and social impact of extremist and hate narratives, develop evidence-based countermeasures, formulate effective alternative and counter-narratives, and promote media and digital literacy as well as societal resilience.

Major General Al-Mughidi stressed that the fight against terrorism is not only a battle of security and operational measures but also a battle for awareness. He said that investing in the capabilities of media professionals is directly an investment in societies’ ability to confront extremist ideologies and attempts at ideological and media infiltration.

He appreciated the cooperation and support of the Somali government in implementing IMCTC programmes and initiatives and reaffirmed the Coalition’s commitment to working with member states and partners to strengthen national capabilities, exchange expertise and advance coordinated efforts across various areas of counter-terrorism, including ideological, media, military and counter-terrorist-financing efforts.

The “Media for Peace” initiative reflects the IMCTC’s broader vision of establishing a sustainable counter-terrorism system that addresses not only the consequences of terrorism but also the ideological and media channels through which extremist organizations spread disinformation, social division and recruitment narratives.

By placing media, awareness and professional communication at the heart of counter-terrorism efforts, the initiative represents an important step toward strengthening societal resilience, promoting security and stability, and enabling journalists and media professionals to play an active role in building peace through informed, responsible and effective journalism.