The Minister of Defense of Somali Federal Gov’t, Ahmed Ma’alin Fiqi on Thursday revealed that the gov’t has put in place a plan to reform the local defense forces known as Ma’awisley who are fighting alongside with the Somali National Army (SNA) that are engaged a war with the militant group of Al-Shabab. The reform is aimed at establishing an official Command in order to unify the local defense forces in order to be a force that will be part of the country’s security agencies.
The Defense Minister underlined the crucial role that the defense forces play when it comes to the ongoing war while he took an example of the Iraqi Gov’t experience which reached tangible victories against the war with ISIS and Al-Qaeda in conjunction with local forces just like the local defense forces known as Ma’awisley.
Therefore, the minister said that Somalia must adopt that method in order to ensure lasting victories. He told that the local residents who mobilized the local defense forces known as Ma’awisley is not only a war force but also are people who have the courage and are nationalists which will pave the way for the creation of an army that has the support of the public.
He reiterated to put in place an official Command which is aimed to develop its quality and will be incorporated in to the armed forces of the Somali Federal Gov’t.
He also pointed out that Ma’awisley forces deserve to be provided with welfare and to find the equipment and a comprehensive services in order to discharge their national duties. He said that it is crucial to respond to their needs in order that they should not feel that they will be exploited without having a guarantee.
The Minister’s remarks come at a time when the local defense forces known as Ma’awisley are directly involved the ongoing operations against the militant group of Al-Shabab which are underway in many provinces in South and Central Somalia. Ma’awsiley forces have played a vital role in the achievements so far reached in the war in the frontlines.
The Somali Federal Gov’t is committed to strengthen the cooperation with the local residents in the settlements in order to tighten the security, and to minimize Al-shabab’s power within the settlements. It is believed that Ma’awisley forces will be a crucial unit to ensure these victories.
However, the reform of the local defense forces will be a strategic step taken in the right direction regarding the country’s security which is aimed to unify the power of the people and the gov’t so as to reach lasting peace and political stability which is based on cooperation.
