MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – Abdullahi Mohamed Nor, the director of the National Center for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism called on al-Shabaab fighters to benefit from the government’s amnesty as Somalia intensified operations to hunt down the group’s fighters in south and central regions of the country.
Nor pledged that the centre and government would welcome defectors from the Al Shabab group.
“There are two reasons why the number of Al-Shabaab members surrendering to the government has increased. First, it is the pressure of the ongoing offensive operations in the country and second, it is that they are making use of the president’s amnesty offer,” he said.
The director confirmed that 107 Al-Shabaab fighters surrendered to the government between July and August, saying the defectors surrendered in four states: Hirshabelle, Galmudug, Southwest, and Jubaland.
“Those who surrendered include young children who were radicalised, youth, women, and group commanders, and they will be offered amnesty and then taken for rehabilitation,” the director said.
The development comes amid Somali government is preparing to launch the second phase of operations to liberate all areas under al-Shabaab control.
Early this year, Somalia, and its neighbours (Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya) agreed to conduct a significant joint military offensive against Al-Shabaab dubbed “Operation Black Lion” to liberate remaining territories under the militants’ control to not only stabilise the Horn of Africa country but also secure the region.
The agreement was reached at a summit hosted by Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and attended by the Heads of State of Kenya, Djibouti, and Ethiopia.
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