Who has been besieging Barawe, the SNA or President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud affiliated clan militia from the central regions of Somalia? And what does President Hassan benefit, if any, from the increase in clan hostilities throughout the country?
We don’t have all the answers, but FGS Members of Parliament from South West State of Somalia might have some of the answers.
Let us begin with MP Ali Mohamed Bagadi, former Counselor at the Somali Embassy in Kenya. The MP explains in detail what really took place in Barawe, the capital of South West State of Somalia, and what is now underway. Speaking at a session of the parliament, he first lays out how the hostilities began.
The MP begins, “on 13 June ’23 at 4:30pm, the Somali National Army attacked South West State House in Barawe. They closed the Barawe airport for a period of 24 hours. They have displaced poor families from their homes, families who have been suffering and under the gun for over 30 years. Families who are already surrounded by al-Shabaab have been mercilessly bombarded with mortars.”
Then he reveals who is attacking the people of Barawe. “This merciless act was undertaken none other than the Somali National Army (SNA) based in Barawe. The same SNA we thought they were to defend our borders and defend us from the merciless attacks of al-Shabaab. But instead, the SNA today has bases in the city of Barawe with checkpoints that collect ‘taxes’ from the poor families of Barawe. And not only that, but they deliberately attacked the Statehouse. This isn’t acceptable. Another development that saddens all of us is the situation of a wounded warrior, a member of SW State security forces, that AMISOM picked up, but then the SNA went after him and took him away from AMISOM forces, and execution style, shot him fatally right in front of them. This isn’t acceptable,” said MP Bagadi.
Now the question is, why would the Somali National Army (SNA) undertake such a merciless act of robbing and executing those they were supposed to protect. Or perhaps it wasn’t really the SNA, but a clan militia masquerading as the SNA to cover their atrocious tracks, while illegally taking ownership of local properties and private farmlands.
Again, MP Bagadi without hesitation gets to the bottom of who really the SNA in Barawe is. “Now to tell you the truth, the SNA in Barawe is by name only, but in reality they are clan militia masquerading as SNA. If the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) wants a clan militia to control Barawe, they should have local clans take control of their city,” said MP Bagadi.
Barawe under siege by the SNA or a clan militia from the central regions of Somalia? | The honorable Ali Mohamed Sheikh Bagadi @AliBagadi FGS MP and former Counselor at the Somali Embassy in Kenya explains in detail what really took place in Barawe, the capital of South West… pic.twitter.com/aReBWfpnnN
— Daljir Media (@radiodaljir) June 14, 2023
But will President Hassan Sheikh pay heed? Of course not. President Hassan has a well laid out history of having his clan lay claim on other clan territories. While Lower Shabelle is one area that has been targeted by his clan since the days of General Aideed, so is Jubaland. Let us not forget during his civilian days as a clan leader, Hassan Sheikh was a prominent member of the Jubba Valley Alliance led by the notorious Barre Hiiraale. Don’t be surprised if Barre makes another comeback, that is if Ahmed Madoobe doesn’t tow to Villa Somalia line.
Don’t also forget the President’s claim in his first term that Galmudug borders extend all the way to Garacad and Burtinle. And remember within six months from the President’s statement al-Shabaab was on the brawl attacking coastal Puntland all the way to Garacad. Don’t be surprised if Garacad Port is the next al-Shabaab target, and another hotspot on the crosshairs of Villa Somalia.
Back to South West State, other prominent MPs speaking out against the SNA in Barawe include MP Dr. Ali Said Fiqi, Somalia’s former Ambassador to the EU. Tweeting earlier today about the deteriorating situation in Barawe, the Ambassador wrote, “The SNA commander in Barawe is acting outside the law and this behavior cannot be tolerated. He has disrupted the electricity and water supply.”
Now the question is what does President Hassan gain from inflaming clan hostilities? Of course, the short answer is the President doesn’t gain a thing from it. And of course the president loses huge political capital from such clan tensions. With no gain and lots of pain, can it be deduced that perhaps the President isn’t the one running the country? Perhaps the President is a mere spectator to the hostilities.
Hold on to your seats, based on prior history, this is only the beginning.
Daljir Media | Contributed to by Daljir reporters in Mogadishu, Baidoa, Nairobi and Garoowe
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