Federal Group Reaches Accord to Hand Over Beledweyne’s Security to Somali National Forces
Beledweyne (AX) — In a significant development, a delegation spearheaded by Army Chief General Odawaa Yusuf Raage and the head of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sanbaloolshe, has brokered a landmark agreement with the Hawadle clan’s leadership. This pact aims to shift the security reins of Beledweyne over to federal authorities.
During a Tuesday afternoon gathering with an array of community members—elder leaders, thinkers, young folk, and women—the delegation stressed the vital importance of federal oversight. They highlighted how such stewardship is key to instilling stability and forging stronger governance in Beledweyne, a town historically plagued by security woes.
Sanbaloolshe made a heartfelt appeal to the clan, urging confidence in government efforts to secure the town’s safety. “There’s skepticism about my capacity to safeguard Beledweyne. People ask how I can secure a nation if this city remains in disarray. We can’t have militant groups brandishing firearms around town or roadblocks stifling progress. Trust in federal forces is crucial for security.”
The Minister of Petroleum and Minerals, Dahir Shire Mohamed, cast a spotlight on the urgency of the situation, asserting, “The current state of affairs in Beledweyne is simply untenable. It’s imperative that government facilities be cleared of unauthorized militias, consolidating them to pave the way for peace and better services. Security should serve as a bedrock before any political solutions can be attained.”
General Odawaa Yusuf Raage, at the helm of the Somali National Army, urged the Hawadle community to recall their brave resistance against the al-Shabab militants. “Your legacy of resilience and sacrifice is renowned. This valor must now be channeled into a concerted effort to stabilize Beledweyne. Lingering insecurity disrupts all strides towards progress.”
The Hawadle clan leaders, recognizing the necessity of this coordinated move, consented to hand over security duties to the federal government, yet they emphasized the need for continuous dialogue to address wider issues.
This decision emerges against a backdrop of ongoing conflicts involving local security detachments, forces loyal to Hirshabelle and the Hiiraan State, and various clan factions all scrambling for dominance in the town. Such rivalries have fomented chaos, including rampant plunder and numerous illegal checkpoints springing up.
The federal government is adamant about quelling this instability, seeing it as part of a larger agenda to solidify security and governance throughout the entire nation. Nevertheless, the triumph of this initiative largely hinges on consistent cooperation with grassroots communities and local leaders.
In a nutshell, transferring Beledweyne’s security management to federal hands isn’t just a tactical maneuver; it’s a crucial step in a far-reaching strategy. However, its fruition rests squarely on fostering an enduring alliance with local stakeholders. In the words of an age-old Somali proverb, “Unity is strength, division is weakness.” Let’s hope that unity prevails for the betterment of Beledweyne and beyond.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
