How tribal clashes are derailing Al-Shabaab war in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The ongoing clan fights across Somalia have significantly derailed the fight against Al-Shabaab, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud maintains, adding that the country will not effectively handle the group simultaneously with local wars.

Inter-clan conflicts have existed in Somalia since the 90s and the damage to the fight against terrorism has been extreme. The country does not have an adequately equipped force to deal with community wars and the Al-Shabab menace.

According to Hassan Sheikh, deviation of the public from Al-Shabaab to clan militia wars has hindered progress on the frontlines. Several parts of Somalia are experiencing inter-clan conflicts including the most recent in Gedo.

Hassan Sheikh now claims certain powerful forces were fueling clan clashes to weaken efforts towards the war against Al-Shabaab and divert government resources to resolving the conflicts.

His remains come days after over 15 people were killed in Luuq District within the Gedo region in Jubaland. Many people have been displaced following the fights as others lost property to rival groups. Gedo is synonymous with endless clan fights.

Similar clashes have been witnessed in central parts of the country in recent weeks. Hassan Sheikh called on clan elders and local administrations to move in swiftly towards ending the clan feuds and focus on the war against Al-Shabaab.

Clan militias in central Somalia have been critical in providing support to the Somali National Army in the fight against Al-Shabaab. During the first phase of operations against Al-Shabaab the clan militia helped to dislodge the militants from the strategic area.

For instance, in the Hiiraan region, former governor Ali Jeyte Osman managed to mobilise clan militia who successfully drove Al-Shabaab from several strategic towns. The al-Shabaab militants are fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE