Federal Forces Set Sights on Disbanding Unlawful Militias and Roadblocks to Restore Security in Beledweyne
Mogadishu (AX) — Once a lively trade hub bustling with activity, Beledweyne in central Somalia now finds itself caught in a web of insecurity, unlawful checkpoints, and ineffective leadership. This turbulent climate prompted Somalia’s federal government to step in, taking charge of security operations in hopes of reviving stability in the beleaguered Hiiraan region.
The federal authorities’ intervention springs from the violent El Baraf confrontations, where militia attacks claimed the lives of numerous soldiers.
Earlier this week, a high-ranking delegation spearheaded by Army Chief General Odawaa Yusuf Raage and National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) Director Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sanbaloolshe successfully brokered an arrangement with leaders of the Hawadle clan. This pact transfers the responsibility for maintaining security in Beledweyne to federal forces.
“Folks continually ask me about my ability to secure Beledweyne,” Sanbaloolshe remarked in a conversation with local elders. “They question how I can govern a country if this city remains in chaos. We can’t tolerate militias wielding arms within the city or roadblocks stalling our forward momentum. It’s essential that we now trust the federal forces with our safety.”
For years, Beledweyne suffered amidst a backdrop of armed militia rivalries, inter-clan discord, and governance mishaps.
These militias have long taken advantage of the area’s political rifts, constructing illegal stop points that have choked commerce and subjected residents to a perpetual state of dread. “Present-day Beledweyne is a city frozen in time, devoid of movement or vitality,” expressed MP Abdirahman Ahmed Osman (Gureey), a representative for Hiiraan in Somalia’s parliament.
Soon, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is slated to visit Beledweyne to reaffirm the federal government’s pledge to tackle the deep-seated political grievances perpetuating unrest. Mohamud plans to engage with traditional elders, intellectuals, youth, and women from the Hawadle clan to cultivate dialogue aimed at resolving these grievances.
For many in Hiiraan, discontent has been simmering ever since the establishment of Hirshabelle state back in 2016, an event they claim led to their region’s marginalization.
Federal officials project optimism, hopeful that setting political disputes to rest will lay a foundation for enduring peace and stability.
General Odawaa commended the Hawadle clan’s historical resistance against Al-Shabaab, calling for united efforts to bring about stability in Beledweyne. “This battle must now transition into a cooperative effort to secure Beledweyne and restore its vibrancy as an economic and political hub,” he voiced.
Somalia’s freshly appointed Minister of Petroleum and Minerals, Dahir Shire Mohamed, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the interdependence between security and governance. “The status quo in Beledweyne is untenable. Security must take precedence, clearing the path for political resolution and enhanced public services,” he commented.
“The President has dispatched a decisive message: Security needs to be reestablished under federal jurisdiction, after which we will endeavor to address and amend grievances,” asserted Hiiraan MP Abdirahman Ahmed Osman (Gureey).
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
