The Federal Government of Somalia said Wednesday that it is ready now to take full responsibility of the country’s security once African Union troops exit from Somalia, removing the skepticism that the withdrawal of foreign troops from the country will pave the way for Al-Shabaab insurgents to capture large swathes of territory.
TUBSAN Director General, Somalia’s National Center for Preventing and Countering Violence, Mr. Ali Yasin Gurbe, disclosed that Somalia possesses well-trained security forces and entered into bilateral security agreements with other countries that will assist the country in maintaining the security in Somalia.
In an interview with Eastleigh Voice, Ali Gurbe, made the statement in Nairobi, revealing that Somalia has been battling with Al-Shabaab insurgents for the last 20 years, and the experience taught the country in rapidly responding to security challenges and rebuilding the government institutions.
Speaking on the possibility of African Union troop’s withdrawal, stating that does not necessarily mean Somalia is facing security threats alone.
He said, “If African Union troops exit Somalia, we have bilateral agreements in place with other countries. We have allies and brothers that we want to assist the Somali Federal Government and its people.”
He announced that Somalia has experienced recurring security challenges but it always managed to recover, further expressing his confidence in the robust Somali security forces, noting that the country has top-notch military forces that are capable of assuming additional responsibility for ensuring the security.
Although Somali security forces in collaboration with international partners have successfully removed Al-Shabaab insurgents from major cities and settlements, the militant group of Al-Shabaab is still capable of conducting attacks and operations against government forces.
AL-Shabaab insurgents have been taking advantage of administration defects, political disputes, and public grievances to continue its operations.
However, Ali Gurbe, stated that the current security challenges could not be the reasons for creating fears of Somalia’s future, noting that the Somali people have been coping with attacks from Al-Shabaab insurgents, recurrent droughts, as well as the impact of climate change.
Somalia is gradually assuming the security responsibility which the African Union troops and international partners used to undertake, while still relying on security cooperation with countries and international organizations. The TUBSAN official stated that although security challenges persist, Somalia is increasingly enhancing its capacity to manage internal security.
