Somalia's government is set to bolster security in a town near the
capital, a day after successfully seizing control from hard-line Islamic
insurgents. Beledweyn, in central Somalia is one of a few areas under the
Somali government's control which is reportedly struggling to counter a growing
Islamist insurgency.
The insurgents have
refused to recognize the Somali administration, promising to overthrow the
government through violence. But the government said it will continue to
wrestle control from the insurgents in other parts of the country.
Government spokesman Abdi Kadir Walayo told VOA that the government will
not relent on providing adequate security for its peoples.
"The
government troops have successfully captured Beledweyn area 360 kilometers north of
Mogadishu. And the commander of the armed forces reported that the area is now
secure and the population living in Beledweyn is enjoying real peace there,"
Walayo said.
He rejected claims that
government forces simply took over the town after the insurgents have left.
"This information is
baseless. The government is now controlling the district of Beledweyn and its
surroundings. And the commander of the area reported that now people are
enjoying real peace," he said.
Meanwhile, the African Union
peacekeeping Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the UN Political Office for Somalia
(UNPOS), and the Somali government launched a Joint Security Committee over the
weekend to coordinate efforts in support of Mogadishu's security sector
institutions.
Walayo said the move would
bring about peace in Somalia after at least 19 years without an effective
government.
"The government and AMISOM
commander and the United Nations Political office for Somalia have jointly
issued a joint security plan through which they want to restore peace to other
parts of Somalia, especially south central Somalia," Walayo said.
He said the joint
cooperation forms part of President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed's plan to ensure
Somalia's stability.
"Yes, from the outset when
this administration led by President Sheik Sharif came to power six months ago,
they established that stabilization and security plan, and now it is in full
swing," he said.
Walayo said the government
recruitment exercise to strengthen government forces is on course.
"The recruitment drive is
really good, and the new aspirants for the e-establishment of the Somali armed
forces are going on. The navy, which is going to control the Somalia coastline
… the recruitment drive is in full swing and the young people are now joining
the government forces," Walayo said.
He expressed confidence that
the insurgents are losing influence.
"You know, this support of
al-Shabab, they are losing ground. Now they are vacating areas where they
occupied before and these young people are now joining Somali forces. They know
the illegitimacy and plans of al-Shabab, so now they are going to distance
themselves from… al-Shabab," he said.
Walayo said the government
will be able to pay the new recruits after receiving financial support from the
international community.
"The government is ready to
pay the new recruits and because of the international support, the government
is receiving that support. The government will provide stipends to the newly
recruited personnel," Walayo said.
Somalia has been without an
effective government after long time President Mohammed Siad Bare was
overthrown in 1991.