Somali president: Our doors are open for amnesty
Today, I have great news to share. Our Somali National Army, supported by our partners in arms, yesterday secured one of the few remaining hideouts of al-Shabaab, the great city of Baardheere.
Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has reiterated his call his to Al-Shabaab fighters to renounce their terror activities and take advantage of his government’s amnesty offer.
President Mohamud said there was no future in extremism noting that doors are still open for those engaged in terrorism to forsake their ‘false calling’ and join hands in building the nation.
“There is no future in extremism. Our doors remain open for those willing to renounce this false calling and join in the rebuilding efforts our people and country. The time is now,” said President Mohamud.
Peace and security
The president said the future of the country was in the hands of Somalis calling on everyone in the country to continue to be ambitious in the interest of peace and security.
The president’s statements come a day after the capture of the agricultural town of Bardhere in Gedo region by a joint Somali National Army and African Union backed force, AMISOM offensive.
He thanked the soldiers for their bravery and sacrifice to restore peace in Somalia. “Today, I have great news to share. Our Somali National Army, supported by our partners in arms, yesterday secured one of the few remaining hideouts of al-Shabaab, the great city of Baardheere.
Amnesty
“Let there be no doubt anymore, the fight to secure our country may be hard, but my commitment and those of our partners, and the resilience of this nation has never been stronger,” said the president.
Somali government announced an amnesty for Al-Shabaab fighters in September last year after the death of Al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane in US drone strike. Since then key Al-Shabaab leaders have surrendered including former intelligence commander Zakariya Ismail Ahmed Hersi who was subject of a $3 million bounty as part of the U.S. State Department “Rewards for Justice” programme.
Another intelligence commander Mohamed Ali Hassan surrendered to government forces in Bakol region in March this year.
Goobjoog News
.