Amid Al-Shabaab crackdown, Somalia president makes changes in military Court

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The president of the federal government of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has made radical changes in the Supreme Court of the Armed Forces, a strategic move that would see more prosecution in cases related to violent extremism within the country.

In his appointment on Wednesday, Hassan Sheikh recalled Liban Ali Yarow to the Supreme Court, about three years after his unceremonious removal by the former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, whose fight against Al-Shabaab was always termed as "underwhelming".

Hassan Sheikh, who has intensified the fight against the militants across the country, is said to be keen on eliminating the militants through both the military and ideologies, a strategy which he says will be rewarding in the long run.

While confirming the changes, Defense Minister Abduqadir Mohamed Noor, who spoke to state media, wished Liban success and an effective role in the war against Al-Shabab terrorists. The court has been instrumental in dispensing high-profile terrorism cases in the Horn of Africa nation.

Throughout his career in the military, Brigadier General Liban served the nation in different positions at the Court of the Armed Forces of Somalia. During Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's first term, he was created for efficiently running the court-martial, which tried many Al-Shabaab criminals.

Minister Noor noted Liban was named “to accelerate the role of the Armed Forces Court which is more important in the nationwide anti-terror offensives”. The new Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Armed Forces comes at the time the country is confronting Al-Shabaab militants.

For several weeks now, the country has been confronting Al-Shabaab in several parts especially within Galgaduud, Hiiraan and Bay regions, with the Somali National Army alongside local militia recording dozens of victories, which left over 200 militants dead.

The United States which has been instrumental in the fight against Al-Shabaab has been providing aerial surveillance with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] soldiers and those from SNA helping in ground combats which have yielded fruits.

GAROWE ONLINE