Somalia cabinet approves counter-terrorism bill

MOGADISHU, Somalia, May 14, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Federal Government of Somalia’s Council of Ministers unanimously approved repealed anti-terrorism law in a bid to curb extremism on Thursday, Garowe Online reports.

Deputy Prime Minister Mohamed Omar Arte chaired the weekly cabinet meeting for the first time since he recuperated from injuries afflicted on his body by Al Shabaab suicide bomber in Central hotel bombing.

Mogadishu-based federal government said, the new bill addresses security challenges facing Somalia by now, and would let government deal with radicalization within the society.

“As you know, terrorists are detrimental to the regional and global stability. Terrorists are accustomed to brutal acts against civilians, and they chose to impede the development of the country,” said government spokesman, Ridwan Haji Abdiweli.

Minister for National Security Abdirazak Omar Mohamed on his side stressed the need for much attention to the people fleeing from Yemen with whom terrorist elements can mix.

The counter-terrorism bill was repealed by the 275-seat-chamber of parliament.

Al Shabaab militants lost a string of strategic towns in central and southern Somalia to Somali government forces alongside African Union peacekeepers. 

GAROWE ONLINE