Mogadishu(Mogadishu24)-The Somalia's Federal Government has on Thursday sent a delegation to Abduwak district north of Galgudud region under Galmudug State to intervene the scandal of arms shipments, confiscated by militias hailing from that district with human casualties this week.
"Maintaining and defending our hard-earned peace and security is paramount. Today, I have arrived in #Abudwak to reaffirm this commitment and engage in a series of consultations with the community",Minister of Internal Security of Somalia, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail (Fartaag) who was leading the delegation, said.
He denied what he described as 'rumors' that the Federal Government of Somalia is going to conduct operation against locals who looted the weapons and would restore them into its control by any means.
"We are from the Government of Somalia and carry message of peace to you Ugaas(tribal chief), elders, local authorities and officials and to learn more the developments. We express condolence to people were killed in that confrontation and wish the victims for recovery. I am confirming to you that the Federal Gov't is not the enemy of people in northern Galgudud. It is a lie and baseless to the reports claiming that the Government is going to attack", the Minister said during his preliminary meeting the elders in Abudwak today.
The community leader, Ugaas Mohamed Ugaas Ahmed said in a statement that the security forces with convoys carried out massacre against locals after they could not satisfy them to motives and destination behind large amount of weapons.
Ahmed confirmed that the 12 local forces were killed and 50 others were injured during the clashes with the security forces, defending the local forces' vigilance to preventing smuggling illegal arms that could fall into the hands of dangerous groups.
Yesterday, the Somali Government expressed deep concern over the incident, highlighting the dangers of illegal arms trade in exacerbating clan conflicts and providing opportunities for Al-Shabaab. “The trade of illegal arms will give an opportunity to Al-Shabaab and fuel clashes between clans in Somalia,” the Ministry said in a statement.
It is not clear if the Federal Government or Galmudug State could satisfy locals in restoring the looted weapons in the hands of local forces and civilians back to its control successfully because the incident caused the losses of over two dozens including the security forces.
The Federal Government of Somalia is currently facing pressure and critics from its oppositions and International partners over mishandling arms control, in particular, this incident as it comes only six moths after United Nations Security council lifted 33 years long arms embargo on Somalia.
https://mogadishu24.com/somali-government-responds-to-seizure-of-illegal-weapons-by-militias/