Horumar

22.10.2023: Jowhar, Middle Shabelle

Written by Suldan Mohamed

At least five people were killed following an ambush by clan militia targeting civilians last night including a Quranic teacher and young students. An act which shocked the Somali nation and has put clan violence in the spotlight again.

The killings are part of a series of tit-for-tat attacks between warring clans in the Middle Shabelle region which in recent weeks has seen large scale violence and destruction including the burning of homes, properties as well as the murdering of civilians in targeted attacks based on clan origins.

Speaking to the press, the governor of Cadale district confirmed that the civilians that were brutally killed were travelling to Xaaji Cali village but were attacked following an illegal checkpoint by a clan militia. It is reported that the Quranic teacher and his students returned from recitations.

Previous Peace Agreement

It was only recently when a peace agreement was reached between warring clans brokered by former President, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Presidential Special Envoy for Stabilisation, Mohamed Abdi Waare in Burka Dirimeed district but it seems as though the agreement has not been upheld with villages being burned to the ground again. The scale of violence is unprecedented and uncommon amongst warring Somali clans with the burning of traditional homes and killing of children being seen as extreme hatred rather than disputes.

Some security analysts suggest the possibility of Al-Shabab militants playing a role in instigating the violence. Opposing clans have lived peacefully side by side prior to the liberation of the region by the Federal Government. A major tactic used by the militants is the divide and conquer method of pushing clans against one another to decrease stability in the region.

The current war against Al-Shabab has been spearheaded by local uprisings, the scale to which Al-Shabab has never faced before and is struggling to contain as the Federal Government pushes the group out of central Somalia.

Silent Federal Government

The Federal Government is yet to comment in recent escalations in Middle Shabelle despite soaring deaths. The region was recently liberated from the Al-Shabab militant group following the commencing of Phase I of Operations in 2022 with a pledge to restore basic government services including security and stability. Over year since the pledge by President Hassan Sheikh and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, violence continues to plague central Somalia which only seems to be increasing.

While Villa Somalia deployed Presidential special Envoy for Stabilisation Mohamed Abdi Waare to Burka Dirimeed earlier this year, it has failed to achieve any end to the hostilities with violence only worsening with the FGS having taken no step since to the displeasure of Envoy Waare:

“The responsibility lies with the Central Government and Hirshabelle (State Government)”.

Mohamed Abdi Waare, Villa Somalia Special Envoy for Stabilisation

What Next?

The Federal Government must act at once and address the concerns of the warring clans while simultaneous ending the bloodshed immediately or risk losing the territory back to Al-Shabab. The Federal Government has made pledges and it must fulfil those or it could also lose its credibility.

Many clans are fighting and dying for the Somali government and their regions. Consequently, many expect the basic government services and security pledged by the government, otherwise many will fall victim to the propaganda already being spewed by Al-Shabab militants in the region in an attempt to destabilise clan relations and capitalise on the situation.