Saturday December 5, 2020
ISTANBUL (HOL) - President Mohamed Farmaajo’s administration is pushing Hiiraan region into armed struggle by suppressing people’s rights and threatening the region with military consequences, former education Minister Abdullahi Godah Barre has warned.
Speaking exclusively to HOL from Turkey, Barre said it was unfortunate armed struggled was starting in Hiiraan region owing to the government’s deliberate efforts to impose its own leadership for political ends.
“Hiiraan region is going back to the 1990s when militias took up arms,” Barre said. “This is quite unfortunate but it happens when the government tramples on the wishes of the people.”
Noting that the election of Ali Guudlaawe as HirShabelle president was engineered by the Federal Government for the sole purpose of securing votes in the upcoming elections, Godah said the expected inauguration of Hiiraan region was further step to annoy the people.
“Guudlaawe’s decision to have him inaugurated in Hiiraan is in itself a provocation on the people of Hiiraan region who were already denied the right to choose their own leader,’ the outspoken politician said.
Tension has been building up in Hiiraan region for close to a month in protest of Guudlaawe’s election. A former military man, General Abukar Warsame Hud is leading a movement championing for the formation of a separate state.
Godah Barre also appealed to Somali Security Forces and AMISOM to desist from being sucked into the politics of HirShabelle and instead concentrate on their mission of securing the country. “You have sworn to protect and defend Somalia so don’t fall into the political infighting whose aim is to attain political interests.” He thanked the Djibouti forces under AMISOM in Beletweyne for their good work but urged them ‘not to participate in suppressing the interests of the people.’
On the upcoming federal elections, Godah warned the militant group Al-Shabaab could send as many of its members to parliament this time around due to laxity by government and constant fights with the opposition. “The opposition and the government are busy fighting each other while the security situation of the country is fast deteriorating.”
“If the trend continues,” Godah said, “Most seats in parliament will be occupied by Al-Shabaab.” The group has in recent weeks upped its attacks in the capital Mogadishu and various Somali National Army bases.
In the wide-ranging interview, the former education minister also took a swipe at Hawaadle clan leader Ugaas Hassan whom he accused of ‘being compromised’. “Ugaas Hassan is aware of everything which happened in Jowhar and now in Hiiraan but has not said anything. He has been in Mogadishu all along and even met with President Farmaajo. His silence has surprised everyone.”
He called on the Federal Government to come up with policies and ideas to develop Hiiraan region and allow people their right to choose own leadership instead of using force and intimidation.