Somalia: Al-Shabab defector urges his former colleagues to quit the group 

KISMAYO, Somalia - A senior commander of Somalia's Islamic extremist group Al-Shabab has announced on Monday he has quit the insurgency and renounced violence, Garowe Online reports.

Speaking to the media for the first time since his surrender to Somali authorities in mid-January, Abdinur Moalim Hassan has urged his former colleagues to leave the group and take advantage of President Farmajo's amnesty.

Hassan regretted his actions whilst at Al-Shabab as "wrongful" saying he has been in the group for years and operated in several regions in southern Somalia, including Gedo and areas under the Southwest administration.

The deputy commander of Jubaland's Intelligence forces in the Bardere town in Gedo region, Ahmed Mohamed Abdullahi, alias [Garab Goye] who received the defector said they are ready to welcome those ditching the group.

Al-Shabaab is yet to release a statement concerning the surrender of its former commander who has been displayed to the media today in Bardere.

Last week, a member of Al-Shabab identified as Shuris Adam Dhinbil surrendered to the Somali government forces in Beled Hawo town in Gedo region, near Somalia-Kenyan border.

The defection comes amid a high-level conference in the southern port town of Kismayo discussing the security of the country and on ways to drive out Al-Shabab from the entire Gedo and Jubba regions under Jubbaland State.

Despite losing major ground, Al-Shabab continues to wage a deadly insurgency against Somalia's government and remains a threat in Somalia and the East African region.

GAROWE ONLINE