Somalia announces "uprising" against Al-Shabaab

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The people of Somalia will have an opportunity to express solidarity in the fight against Al-Shabaab, the government announced on Tuesday, in what would be the first major protest against the group, which has been oppressing civilians and security forces for over 15 years.

Dubbed "Mogadishu People's Uprising", thousands of progressive forces are expected to line up in the streets of the capital Mogadishu on Thursday where they are expected to declare a major war against the militants. The government has been working closely with locals in the ongoing assault against the Al-Qaeda-linked group.

In central and southern Somalia, locals have mobilized against Al-Shabaab with the famous Macawisley militia leading from the frontline. The militia has been fighting alongside the Somali National Army [SNA], the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS], and US Africa Command.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced "total war" against Al-Shabaab when he took over in May 2022 and significant progress has been noted. Recently, the president reported that over 500 militants have been killed through joint efforts as the military seized several "strategic" towns across Somalia.

In the process, the close collaboration between locals and security forces has seen several militants mostly youths surrender to government forces, as some claimed that they joined the group after being "misled". The government is repatriating those who have bolted out of the terror group.

To fast-track the objectives of the uprising, the government has mobilized all civil servants to turn up in the streets and join the masses. The country is finding ways of directly involving civilians in the fight against extremists who are hell-bent on toppling the fragile UN-backed federal government.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has repeatedly maintained that Al-Shabaab will not be defeated through a military approach alone, adding that there is a need to invest in the ideological front. This week, the government denied claims that it was intending to negotiate with the militants, concurring with the group which also refuted the allegations.

A recent report published by the International Crisis Group noted that Al-Shabaab has scaled down recruitment following a sustained crackdown against them on all fronts. Intelligence reports also indicate that foreign fighters are ditching the group and are looking for exit points to avoid arrests or deaths.

The government of the United States recently increased rewards for people who would give tips at Al-Shabaab's revenue collection centers. Both the government of Somalia and its partners have unanimously agreed to target sources of revenue to further cripple the group.

It is projected that Al-Shabaab is able to raise over $100 million from local revenue and well-wishers, with the majority of the share going to the purchase of weapons. Intelligence reports established that Yemen is being used as the entry point for Al-Shabaab weapons due to ongoing political conflict.

The Al-Shabaab extortionists have been destroying oil wells, communication facilities, and other essential infrastructure to further frustrate a determined local population that is taking arms against them. In Mogadishu, the National Consultative Council agreed to prioritize the fight against Al-Shabaab.

Although it is not clear if President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will attend the rally, he has, however, demonstrated leadership throughout the few months he has been in office. The group has lost its main centers to government troops and it is projected that the internal leadership crisis between Abu Ubaidah and Mahad Karate will cripple it further.

GAROWE ONLINE