Al Shabaab fighters offered amnesty after Afmadhow falls

By Vitalis Kimutai in Afmadhow, Somalia

Al Shabaab fighters who fled Afmadhow town in Somalia after its capture by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have been given an amnesty to surrender.

Kenyan soldiers seized the town with the support of officers from The Federal Government of Somalia and the Ras Kamboni Brigade.

The new area District Commissioner Abdihakim Omar Haji revealed that the amnesty had been extended to the militants who are suspected to have retreated to the neighbouring towns after the capture of Afmadhow.

“We have given them a window of opportunity to surrender and hand over their arms and they will be integrated into the local community,” Haji told the Press in Afmadhow from his office, which was reclaimed from the Al Shabaab.

KDF after taking over towns, hands it over to local administration picked by the local communities and its role is to set up security structures.

Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Nyagah, Commanding Officer First Battle Group said the town was now in safe hands with the local administration putting in place security apparatus.

Security

“The local administration is appointed by the people and it is their duty to put in place security measures. We (KDF) are only here to ensure there is adequate security before moving on with our mission,” said Nyagah.

Afmadhow is the second largest town after Kismayu, which is 120 kilometres away and is still in the hands of the Al Shabaab.

KDF set up base near the town a day before launching the assault at night with the outnumbered and overpowered Al Shabaab retreating in the cover of darkness.

“We will pursue them (Al Shabaab) to the end and smoke them out of their hideouts. We are here to ensure the Somalis have peace and a semblance of order where they can rebuild their country which has been ravaged by war for years,” Lt Col Nyagah told The Standard.

At the same time, a motor vehicle that had been hijacked and used to transport the District Officer who was kidnapped in Kenya has been recovered by KDF.

Recovered

“The double cabin pick-up vehicle was recovered at Afmadhow and has since been handed over to police in Kenya,” said Nyagah.

Nyagah said the Kenyan registration number plates were recovered under the seats of the vehicle.

Brigadier General Ismael Sahardid Keydsanen, the Somali National Army commander in the region praised the Kenyan soldiers.

“Kenyan soldiers have done the people of Somalia proud by liberating major towns. The takeover of Afmadhow town is a clear indication that the Al Shabaab will be driven out of the region in the long run,” he said.

Sheikh Ahmed Madobe, who is in charge of the Ras Kamboni Brigade, said the assault against the militia group in Afmadhow was a major gain in the region and that it was possible for Somalia to enjoy peace after 21 years of war.

Madobe said security had greatly improved in the town which was previously a key supply and operation base for the Al Shabaab.

“In a desperate attempt to hold on to Afmadhow, Al Shabaab has been sending signals that they are going to strike back. But we know it is the kicks of a dying horse,” Madobe told journalists in an interview in the town.

The residents were upbeat yesterday as KDF soldiers patrolled the town that is in ruins following years of fighting.

“It was a historic moment when the Al Shabaab were driven out of this town. Movement of people and goods has improved in the past one week,” said Haji Abdi, a resident.

Abdi said the fact that the soldiers were stationed in strategic areas of the town gave a high sense of security to the residents who were counting their losses after years of being under the hands of militia groups.

Grateful

Hassan Hussein, an elder, said the residents would forever be grateful to the Kenyan soldiers for liberating the town.

“Hundreds of people have been executed by the Al Shabaab for allegedly failing to pay taxes or propagate ideals of the militia group with thousands of children being rendered orphans,” he said.

He said that a sigh of relief and high sense of security had returned to the town. The elder called on the international community to contribute to reconstruction of general infrastructure in the region