Return home, Madobe tells Somali refugees

By Joackim Bwana

Kenya: A Somali warlord who fought alongside Kenyan forces during the assault on Al-Shabaab has urged Somalis who fled the war-torn nation to return home and help in development.

Sheikh Ahmed El Mahamed Islam alias Madobe who is currently taking command over Kismayu, Somali’s major seaport, and has been assisting the Kenya Defence Force (KDF) to fight Al-Shabaab insurgents at the seaport since KDF entered Kismayu, assured Somali citizens of their safety.

He said it is time Somalis who are scattered across the world returned to Somalia to rebuild the nation that is currently undergoing a major build up after a long period of civil war and siege by the Al-Shabaab.

New government

“Now that Somalia has an independent government and the KDF soldiers and Amisom have regained control of major areas occupied by the Al-Shabaab, I think it is rational for all Somali citizens still living in refugee camps like Dadaab to come back home and participate in the on-going development of the country,” Madobe said.

He said over 80 per cent of Somalis live in other countries as refugees simply because of civil war that had torn the country into shreds.

He said the country is now faring well politically and that within a short time, Somalia will be on its feet economically as it is possible to develop and bring investors on board, especially after the Kismayu seaport which is a key economic area was recaptured.

“We need to pull in investors from other countries, but first the citizens themselves need to hit the ground running by coming home and investing,” the relaxed and jovial Modobe said.

He however, condemned those who are still planning, and carrying out attacks on innocent people in the name of jihad.

Madobe said many people especially youths are misled with wrongful teachings that make them believe that jihad is a war of guns.