Hirshabelle State Elders Accuse Somali Federal Government of “Arming Clan Militias”

“As elders, the government used to hold us accountable for any soldier who deserted but did not return his gun. Now the government is indifferent to the misuse of Somali National Army weapons by militias,” said one of the elders who spoke to the media.

Jowhar (PP News Desk) — Traditional leaders of Ceelbaraf in Hirshabelle State have accused the Federal Government of Somalia of authorising Somali National Army contingents to side with militias and attack Ceelbaraf.

“We deplore the decision to allow Somali army soldiers to moonlight as militias to attack Ceelbaraf. The burning issue was the soldiers slain at Ceelbaraf. Now the federal government escorted soldiers through Mahadaay and Ceelbaraf with the goal of joining militias to attack Ceelbaraf. As elders, the government used to hold us accountable for any soldier who deserted but did not return his gun. Now the government is indifferent to the misuse of Somali National Army weapons by militias,” said one of the elders who spoke to the media.

Last week, militias hauled several soldiers off a bus and killed them. The outrage over the killing raised fears of conflict between neighbouring subclans near the border between Middle Shabelle and Hiiraan.

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