Somalia: Ahlu Sunna group remained defiant amid calls to 'end of war declaration'

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama'a [ASWJ] has continued to push further south in Galmadug, following Saturday's gains in Central Somalia, which saw it capture another strategic town, in what could ignite a gruelling battle with Somali National Army [SNA].

On Saturday, the ASWJ militia seized Eldhere town which is 30 kilometres from Dhusamareeb, the regional administrative capital of Galmadug, which hosts the regional government. The group did not face any resistance.

The gains come just a day after the Sufi group seized Guri'el, marking the first territorial gain in barely two years. It's in 2020 that the group was kicked out by the Somalia National Army [SNA], following a battle that leftover 25 people dead.

According to reports, ASWJ received a rousing welcome from locals as they captured Eldhere near Galmudug's capital, Dhusamareeb on Saturday. The group is making a comeback, which could further destabilize the central Federal State.

Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, who has been steering the elections process in Somalia, condemned the violence and asked the group to respect the legitimate authorities in Galmadug. The PM further called for the de-escalation of violence.

Despite the pressure from the government which has already deployed SNA troops to Galmadug, Ahlu Sunna leader Sheikh Mohamed Shakir has said his group is not against the government but focused on fighting the militant group Al-Shabaab.

“Our goal, which we have been moving forward with, is to fight Al-Shabaab terrorists, to liberate the region and Somalia as a whole. Announcing the meeting during the visit to our great Sheikh Sheikh Yusuf, we declare that the enemy must be defended and repulsed,” said Shakir, adding that they are negotiating with FGS.

Sheikh Mohamed Shakir, who also served as Galmudug First Minister following an IGAD brokered a deal in 2018 added that his group will not fight ‘anyone but Al-Shabaab. “

“We are fighting a different group and we are not in a fight with them [Galmudug state]. As we are fighting that enemy who is against our good religion, therefore, I think, whoever fights us without hesitation will be regarded as individuals implementing their (al-Shabaab’s) ideology,” Shakir added.

He noted that Ahlu Sunna was ready for dialogue with the government. “Everything that is wrong in Galmudug should be resolved through dialogue and without any hesitation. This is what we are looking for and we call for it to be corrected.”

In Somalia, it's not unique to find regional militia groups given the level of insecurity, something which has destabilized the government. The United Nations and other international partners have been working hard to find a lasting solution.

GAROWE ONLINE