Somalia: Arrest of Shegow Sparks Protests, Debate in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A public upheaval broke out on the streets of Mogadishu Yesterday following the arrest of Senior Officer Shegow Ahmed Ali, a former al-Shabaab member who left the extremist group in 2014. The arrest prompted hundreds to gather, leading to intense debate over the officer's military rank and allegations of racial discrimination.

Shegow's background is fraught with controversy. He left al-Shabaab after being in charge of fundraising and later suffered defeat while in command of the Barirre base in the Lower Shabelle region.

The incident leading to his arrest came after he defended soldiers accused of robbery. Attempts at negotiation with People's Assembly members failed, and a battle ensued. The arrest was carried out forcefully, resulting in the death of two soldiers under Shegow's command.

Police spokesman Sadiq Aden Ali Doodishe clarified the government's stance: "Shegow was a person who had already been dismissed from the army, and his house was used as a refuge by anyone who commits robbery." He added that Shegow was not a general, as some claimed, but a captain.

The difference in rank between a captain and a general has become a focal point of the controversy. While a captain leads only 100 soldiers, a general leads 2,500. This discrepancy sparked demonstrations, with protesters referring to a 2016 presidential letter promoting Shegow as "General."

Hundreds gathered in Mogadishu to protest the arrest, expressing anger at Shegow's treatment and his soldiers' beatings, seen in videos circulated on social media. One anonymous demonstrator said, "We have been attacked many times, but we will not allow anything more, and we will take other measures if Shegow is not released."

The debate extends to opinions within the Somali community. Some see Shegow as a hero who rejects oppression. Others emphasize the importance of capital security and believe that those who threaten it should be handled strictly.

The arrest of Senior Officer Shegow Ahmed Ali has opened a multi-faceted discussion on military rank, racial animosity, and security in Mogadishu. With public opinion sharply divided, the situation remains tense, with authorities facing a delicate balancing act between justice, security, and public sentiment.

GAROWE ONLINE