Somalia: Former warlord refuses to lay down arms
21 Apr, 2014 - 5:31:18 AM
KISMAYO, Somalia April 21, 2014 (Garowe Online)-Former warlord Col. Barre
Adan Shire (Barre Hiiraale) has refused to lay down his arms in the fight
against Jubaland administration, Garowe Online reports.
As a result of mediation efforts by clan elders who come from the same clan
as Col. Barre Hiiraale,former warlord and once Federal Government of
Somalia's widely speculated proxy said he is not ready to disarm his militia
in Goob Weyn town which lies a few kilometers from Lower Jubba regional
capital of Kismayo.
"Among the points of the discussion were Barre Hiiraale to take part in
Jubaland peace process, to hand over his arms and militia to African Union
Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and to renounce armed violence," independent
sources in the southern port city of Kismayo tell GO.
However, Col. Barre Hiraale rebuffed to abide by a key point that might lead
to comprehensive agreement between the two sides and refused to lay down
arms. The mediators Sunday returned to Kismayo to deliver the outcome of
their talks with Col. Barre.
Federal Government of Somalia's Prime Minister Abdiweli Shiekh Ahmed Mohamed
who had been on visit to Kismayo for seven days dispatched the clan elders
mainly drawn from his clan to Goob Weyn to hold discussions on the
consolidation of Jubaland Peace Process with Col. Barre Hiiraale.
Former warlord's militia engaged in a deadly battle with local forces loyal
to the President of Jubaland administration Shiekh Ahmed Mohamed Islam
(Madobe) in Kismayo and subsequently fled to unknown vicinities in the
outskirts of Kismayo following the seizure of Kismayo by Jubaland forces in
June 2013.
Meanwhile in Kismayo's Shaqalaha neighborhood, unidentified assailants on
Monday morning gunned down a prominent clan elder Amir Abdirahman Abdi Dhuh,
eyewitnesses reported. The attackers escaped from the spot.
Jubaland administration didn't comment on the assassination but officials
told that security operations are underway.
Kismayo suffered from two decades of bloody stalemate, with rival warlords
and armed clan militias competing for the lucrative seaport and the fertile
hinterland near Jubba river.