Hiiraan Online

by Mohamed A. Hussein
Saturday, July 5, 2014

Immediately it was also reported that Alshabab took the responsibility of that execution and threaten to continue murdering in the month of Ramadan. Security officers are said to be in pursue of assailants.  PM, Abdiwali Sheikh Ahmed and president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud both declared the killers would be brought to justice. Based on the past performance of security agents whose minister resigned few months ago soon after the parliament building was attacked, it is hard to expect this case to be concluded soon as predicted.

Parliament building, Villa Somalia and UN building were attacked recently. The government leaders gave the same speech.  Condolence was sent to the families of diseased and promise to pursue killers until brought to justice was declared.  None had happened afterward. As result, it is a reasonable in this case to also expect the government agents failing to find the killers.

Despite all those unsolved crimes in Mogadishu, surprisingly UN representative, Nicholas Kay has been and still reported as to have claim that Somalia is making progress in term of security as indicated on his recent report to security council few months ago, but his activities on the ground toward his own security tells different story.

Soon after UN building, one of the places used to consider safest place in Mogadishu was finally attacked by Alshabab, Mr. Kay immediately requested from Security Council to approve additional Ugandan troops trained specifically to guard the UN building in Mogadishu, which was later granted.

Now, it is no doubt that UN building is the safest place in Mogadishu because it is the only building being assigned over 700 special guards. Therefore, it is possible when Mr. Kay talks about the progressive safety of Mogadishu, he has in mind the UN building.

All the other areas are perceived for Alshabab to have free access, and the most of the political assassination is reportedly claimed by Alshabab. However, lately their claim is being questioned. Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta denied that the recent killing that took place in Lamu, Kenya in which Alshabab claimed its responsibility and instead accused local militias to be behind it. Other security analysts questioned in that case also if Alshabab was responsible why only certain tribes in Kenya were targeted.

Here in Mogadishu, the last attack in the parliament building where Alshabab is reported to take its responsibility was also questioned by security analysts as to why the attack in parliament happened the day after president's supporters warned the members of the parliaments from talking part in debate over motion against president.

Now it should be considered any further claim by either president, prime Minster or for this matter Mr. Kay that Mogadishu is safe to be pure verbiage. Safety of the city cannot be accomplished without reconciliation among Somalia people. It is not enough for the President to just claim the safety of the city is his number one, two, and three priority. It is possible and probably the reason why there is a lack of progress so far is that the president Hassan thought since he was elected the first president after transition period, no further reconciliation is needed and as result he should dictate from top down.

President forgets the mandate of his government was to continue reconciliation among others which is the foundation of safety of not only the capital, but the whole nation. He should also realize that international recognition without the approval of Somali people is why Somali people are still at square one.  One clan militias turned to be police force for the nation will not secure the safety of the capital, not to mention other areas.