​Somalia: Several al-Shabaab militants defect to government forces

BAIDOA, Somalia- Four al-Shabaab members were reported have defected and surrendered to the Somali authorities in Goofgaduud village, located about 35 kilometers north of Baidoa town on Monday, Garowe Online reports.

Goofgaduud administrator Siidow Ali Shiine said the militants surrendered themselves after making contact with the authorities, claiming they wanted to live in peace with their families and Somali people.

Speaking to local Media, Shiine said an elderly man was among the al-Sabaab defectors, who were handed over to the Ministry of rehabilitation and disarmament of the militia for Southwest state in Baidoa.

"Four al-Shabaab members, including teenage boys aged between 17 to 20 years old, and an elderly man have defected to Somali national army forces in Goofgaduud following phone contacts," he added.

The militants denounced the group's terror activities and expressed interest of being rehabilitated and eventually lead normal lives, according to Shiine. The al-Shabaab is yet to comment on the surrender.

This was the latest in series of defections by al-Shabaab fighters, and is seen as a good sign with the authorities hoping other militants will follow suit to restore security in Somalia.

Last April, Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo has offered a 60-day amnesty to al-Shabaab fighters in a change of tact in the fight against Islamist extremism in the horn of Africa country.

GAROWEONLINE