(01-09-23) MOGADISHU — Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on Friday issued a robust call for a renewed and transparent approach to Somalia’s ongoing fight against the terrorist group al-Shabaab, terming it the “second phase of the Kharijite purge”. The statement comes in the wake of recent discussions surrounding the Osweine base attack last Saturday.
“Our position on fighting the enemy is a long-standing one that has never changed at any time and at any stage,” said the former President. “We stand fully alongside the armed forces and the local forces against the Khawarij.”
Sheikh Ahmed was candid in his criticisms, noting that mistakes made in military strategy must not be swept under the rug. “Some of the mistakes that have caused the problem in the army cannot be silenced,” he asserted.
“We will never accept the heroes who sacrificed their blood to be neglected,” said Ahmed in a statement published on his personal website. He emphasised the need for those responsible for past errors to either assume responsibility or formulate a new strategy distinct from previous approaches.
The former President also called for the depoliticisation of the war on terrorism. “War requires clear strategies, political planning, and international relations that go hand in hand, resulting in the liberation of the country,” he said.
Ahmed explicitly linked these comments to ongoing discussions about the Awsweyn base attack, urging an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and to determine who was responsible for any mistakes made.
The remarks by Sheikh Ahmed underline the complicated nature of Somalia’s fight against al-Shabaab, revealing a palpable desire for more effective strategies and greater accountability within the military establishment.
Halqabsi News
