Somalia: Hawiye clan elders Chief lambastes Federal Govt for disarmament operation

MOGADISHU, Somalia August 16, 2014 (Garowe Online)-Hawiye clan elders club Chief Mohamed Hassan Haad has lambasted Federal Government of Somalia for targeting particular people amidst mistrust, Garowe Online reports.

Haad on Saturday said on VOA Somali Service that several steps are required before illegal weapons are cleansed of war-torn Mogadishu where terrorists, armed clan militia and criminal gangs remain active.

"If it is disarmament, it is unacceptable. Statewide disarmament is needed but people must firstly put trust in the government and mutual of understanding must be created among the people," argued Hawiye clan elders chief.

He noted that the ongoing illegal weapons clearance operation is in doubt since inclusive reconciliation is far from over.

"Disarmament should fairly take place in every part of the country. I raise suspicion on this program and it could doom many things to failure," said Haad.

Massive operation that targeted the house of notorious warlord and former commissioner of Wadajir district Ahmed Dai netted cache of arms, 18 militiamen and ammunitions.

Mogadishu, a capital city dominated by Hawiye clan has been a hot bed for deadly violence over the last two decades of civil unrest.

Abdi Nur Siyad (Abdi Wal), another Mogadishu warlord who remains deeply unpopular in Lower Shabelle region barely escaped from capture on Thursday.

GAROWE ONLINE