Somalia: Governor Calls SoDMA Aid to Militias Fighting Al-Shabaab ‘Humiliating’

MOGADISHU, Somalia — A governor in central Somalia has accused the Federal Government of providing inadequate support to local militias battling the al-Shabaab insurgency, saying the administration in Mogadishu appears indifferent to their sacrifices.

Muuse Salaad Wehliye, the governor of Hiiraan region, condemned a recent aid delivery by the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), describing it as a “humiliation” to the pro-government Macawiisley militia, who have been at the forefront of operations against the Islamist militant group.

According to Wehliye, SoDMA sent only a few cartons of supplies aboard two aircraft to the Moqokori district, an area where fighting has intensified in recent weeks. He said the delivery was "inadequate and far below expectations."

“This is not the support we anticipated — it’s a humiliation to those volunteering and risking their lives on the front lines,” the governor said, warning that such actions risk straining relations between the federal government and local forces.

The criticism comes amid growing scrutiny of SoDMA, which faces accusations of massive corruption and mismanagement, including the alleged diversion of aid provided by international donors. Such claims have eroded public trust in the agency, which is tasked with coordinating humanitarian relief and disaster response in Somalia.

Despite its challenges, the Somali government maintains that it is committed to defeating al-Shabaab, working alongside international partners such as Turkey, which has provided military and institutional support.

Macawiisley fighters, drawn from local communities, have been credited with helping reclaim territory from al-Shabaab across several frontlines. Government troops often rely heavily on these militias, whose role has become increasingly central to the counterinsurgency effort.

The federal government insists that the militant group will be defeated in the near future, though local frustrations highlight the challenges of sustaining momentum on the ground.

GAROWE ONLINE