Highlight
Somalia’s Interim South West Administration has kicked off a plan to integrate former militias into the Somali National Army to help in the war against Al Shabaab.
Summary and Analysis
Somalia’s Disarmament, Rehabilitation and Training of militias’ minister of Interim South West Administration Hassan Hussein Mohamed said they are currently training cadets to join into Somali national army (SNA).
The country’s Disarmament, Rehabilitation and Training of militias ministry is in charge of receiving the fighters who surrender from the armed terrorists and who consequently receive the country’s amnesty.
On April 24, 2015 Somalia’s Ministry of Interior had extended the amnesty period that saw hundreds of Al Shabaab radicalized youth’s returnees surrender to the government authorities.
The amnesty was also extended in August by President of Somalia’s Puntland Government Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali for Al Shabaab defectors and on Monday 7th September, Federal Government of Somalia’s Minister for Information and Tourism, Mohamed Abdi Xayir Mareeye extended call of amnesty to al Shabaab leaders were they to surrender to the government.
With the many calls to surrender, hundreds of Al Shabaab militants have surrendered to the government forces where they have gone through thorough rehabilitation. They have been trained for alternative means of obtaining livelihoods.
Others have already been incorporated into the SNA to fight elements of Al Shabaab who continue to launch attacks in the country’s southern and central regions.
Analysis foresees the recent move to incorporate former militias into the army as a good tactical approach to fighting militants as they will provide intelligence to the Somali army and the AMISOM troops.
The move could also pose dangers depending on the level of radicalization the former militants had gone through. If it was deep, it may require longer spans of de-radicalization before they are safe to join the national government.
The government must also ensure that the former militias find it safe and conducive to fight alongside troops.
