This conflict is not a new development, rather, it is a continuation of the 1991 civil war. The militia that is in conflict with the locals of the region are remnants of the army that swore allegiance to the infamous warlord Mohamed Farah “Aidid”. Their illegal acts are being sanctioned by the Interior minister of Somalia, Mr Abdikarim Hussein Guled, who has well-documented ties to warlords who have terrorised the inter-riverine people for over 22 years. Prominent members of the region’s civil society, General Mohamed Abdulqadir and tribal chief Suldan Said, held a press-conference in which they blamed Somalia’s Federal Government of aiding the invading militias (Markacadey.com). Recent reports show that the locals have successfully repelled the militias, and have reclaimed control of the regions airport, “Number 50″. Much to the dismay of the locals, the region’s governor, Mr Siidi has demanded for more reinforcements to be sent from Mogadishu to reclaim the strategically located airport for the Interior minister and his cronies. Presently, the fighting has moved onto the neighboring village “Fiido Muuse”.
Similarly, in the Middle-Shabelle region, the local Somali Bantu community is also being terrorised by Somali National Army soldiers, their properties have been seized illegally, and their people have been uprooted and slaughtered. Since the fall of Somalia’s central government in 1991, the same militias have been carrying out a non-stop land-expansionism, and extermination programme. Unlike the locals of the Lower Shabelle region, the Somali Bantu community is unarmed, outnumbered and are thus rendered completely vulnerable to this onslaught. The selection of Somalia’s current President has only served to exacerbate the uprooting of farming communities from fertile lands. During the President’s tour of Jowhar, Somali Bantu elders denounced him for siding with his kin in their transgression against the unarmed Somali Bantu farmers community (SomaliChannel, 08/11).
This is not the first time the Federal Government has been accused of aiding land-expansionist militias, several months ago, Puntland authorities accused Somalia’s interior minister of arming neighbouring Galmudug militias in a press release ;
“In recent days, Puntland intelligence has been monitoring the arrival of arms shipment at Galmudug-controlled Bandiiraley airstrip, 60km south of Galkayo. Intelligence information confirms that Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) officials, including Mr. Abdikarim Hussein Guled, FGS Minister of Interior who hails from Galmudug neighborhood, sent the arms shipment to Bandiiradley”. – (Garoweonline)
Below is a recent picture taken of a Galmudug militia base located in the outskirts of Southern- Galkayo, as they prepare to launch a second wave of attack on Puntland’s southern border.
Galmudug Militias, wearing SNA uniforms, courtesy of the interior minister.
The federal government’s use of brute force, clan favouritism, and political manipulation has caused the country to become deeply polarised. Resources meant to liberate the country from the scourge of Al-Shabab are being used to train militias aligned to the Interior minister of Somalia, Mr Abdikarim Hussein Guled who has in collusion with the defence minister, Abdihakim Mohamoud Haji-Fiqi, integrated them into the so-called Somali National Army. The most troubling aspect of this is that Al-Shabab is taking advantage of the situation by offering to arm local communities who feel that the Government is trying to strip them from their fertile lands. If the fighting spreads to other areas in Southern Somalia, it will only be a matter of time before Al-Shabab regains momentum. Unfortunately for Somalia’s beleaguered and disillusioned citizenry, the new cabinet selected by the new Prime Minister signals that the federal government will move full-steam ahead with the current nefarious agenda.
UPDATE:
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, has expressed concern about recent local conflicts in the country. He said these clashes could threaten the country’s progress towards peace and stability as well as the rights of thousands of affected citizens.
Clashes have been reported near Jowhar in Middle Shabelle, some areas around Beledweyne in Hiraan and around K50 in Lower Shabelle. Reports indicate that clan-based militia are evicting farmers and villagers from productive farm land. Those affected often come from smaller, or minority, clans and communities.
Mr. Kay called on the Federal Government of Somalia to continue to take these incidents seriously and asked elders and leaders to find peaceful solutions.
He also said that the Federal Government should investigate fully what has happened. ( Source: UN.org)
- See more at: http://somalisentinel.com/2013/12/natio ... NLhUD.dpuf
