Somalia detains Elders over links to Al-Shabaab

BELEDWEYNE, Somalia - Somali authorities arrested six traditional elders who are accused of signing an agreement with Al-Shabaab, a group that has been causing havoc in the country for almost 15 years.

The government officials said the elders will be charged with violation of the directive that bans close association with Al-Shabaab, a measure that was taken to minimize interaction between members of the community and designated groups.

The elders are accused of traveling to the areas which are directly under the control of the Al-Shabaab near Beledweyne, where the militants have bases. According to the military, the elders agreed with Al Shabaab to withdraw their clan forces from the ongoing offensive.

For the last five months, the Somalia National Army has been pursuing Al-Shabaab in central and southern regions, leading to massive successes. The militants have lost key towns to the national army and are enjoying support from the US Africa Command [AFRICOM] and the local militia.

The government said the military has killed over 1,000 militants while arresting several others in the process. The military will continue with the operation for the next months until all villages in the country are safer, SNA chief Gen Odowaa Yusuf Rageh said in a statement.

On Sunday, a Somali military court sentenced three elders named Omar Mohamed Jimale Adan [Omar Faninte], Ali Ahmed Hayle Araalle [Ali Yare], and Sugaal Warsame Ali Yarow to five years in prison for dealing with Al-Shabaab in Harardhere, Galmudug State.

They were arrested in late December after defying a government directive not to contact or cooperate with Al Shabaab militants.

Community elders are regarded as very important operatives in Somalia's culture and even governance, and the administration regularly consults them on a number of issues. In fact, the elders at times negotiate on behalf of the government whenever the militants kidnap innocent civilians.

Importantly, the elders have been choosing leaders in clan-based elections. However, Somalia is striving to embrace universal suffrage elections which will see the country elect leaders directly for the first time in decades. Al-Shabaab has been dislodged from critical towns across the country.

GAROWE ONLINE