MOGADISHU, Somalia Nov 25 2012 (Garowe Online) – Somalia’s
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud gave a stern warning to Somali government
forces to uphold the law and protect civilians, Garowe Online reports.
The statement was made by the President of the Federal
Government following a meeting in Mogadishu between federal government and
military officials on Sunday. Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon, Defense
Minister Abdihakim Fiqi and Minister of Internal Affairs and Security Abdihakim
Hussein Guled attended the Sunday meeting.
President Hassan thanked the government forces for their
courage and dedication and gave a prayer for the forces that died fighting for
Somalia.
Continuing, President Hassan reminded the armed forces that
their responsibility was to uphold law and protect
citizens.
On Sunday, one civilian was killed after a gun battle broke
out between Somali armed forces in Beledweyne.
According to Hiiraan Online a web based Somali news agency,
shots were fired after one group of armed forces argued with another group who
were carrying their weapons illegally in the Beledweyne market in the capital
of Hiraan region.
The government spokesman for Hiraan region Mohamed Nur
Agajoof stated that one young man working in the Beledweyne market was killed
from the altercation between the armed forces.
President Hassan in Mogadishu stated that any armed forces
that are found guilty of killing another person will be sentenced to death.
“Any soldier who kills another person will be put to death;
any soldier who rapes somebody will be put to death, as written in the Islamic
Sharia,” said President Hassan.
Incidents of soldiers causing harm to civilians have grown
since the expansion of Somalia’s armed forces. Last month a soldier fired at a
vehicle carrying passengers through Mogadishu killing 1 civilian and injuring 5
others.
Some Somali analysts believe that the incidents have grown
due to poor recruitment practices by military officials in Mogadishu.
The stern warning comes at a time when Minister of Defense Mr.
Fiqi stated that the government cannot defeat Al Shabaab without the UN
sanctioned arms embargo lifted.
GAROWE ONLINE
