Mogadishu — In a recent interview with Sabahi, African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) spokesperson Colonel Ali Aden Humad elaborated on the recent successes achieved in the fight against al-Shabaab in the first two weeks of March.
Humad spoke about the co-operation between the Somali National Army and AMISOM forces, their humanitarian assistance to the Somali people in liberated areas and the extent of AMISOM's involvement in the federalism process.
Sabahi: What can you tell us about the recent military offensive you launched in central and southern Somalia?
Colonel Ali Aden Humad: We have liberated a large portion of land from al-Shabaab. We are close to where we wanted to reach and the area we wanted to liberate. They flee each time we launch an attack on an area where they are located.
Sabahi: How many districts have you liberated so far?
Humad: We have liberated eight districts located in Bay, Bakol, Gedo and Hiran, including Bulo Burde and Hudur. [Once] we liberate the towns, we will move towards removing [al-Shabaab] from the rural areas.
Sabahi: What are the losses AMISOM troops sustained in the offensive, and what losses have they inflicted upon al-Shabaab?
Humad: I cannot give you a specific number, but the losses we suffered are not important. What is important is our goal and the progress we have made. Al-Shabaab is making the people flee because they want to hide among the people.
Sabahi: How do AMISOM and the Somali army work together?
Humad: AMISOM and the Somali forces each fulfil their duties. During the battles both engage and participate. But after an area is liberated, the Somali forces have closer ties to the people so they are the ones who work to stabilise the area that has been captured and connect the people and the government.
Sabahi: Do AMISOM police work in the areas you liberate?
Humad: Due to capacity issues AMISOM police only operate in the big cities such as Mogadishu and Kismayo at the present time.
Sabahi: Do you provide humanitarian assistance to the people in the liberated areas?
Humad: We provide the first assistance to the people. We give them water, healthcare and transportation, and help them with any problems they are facing so that they can recover. We are also sending out an appeal to the world because there are many problems in the areas that are being liberated. We are requesting assistance for these people.
Sabahi: Some Somalis have expressed doubts about AMISOM's intentions and see it as a foreign army occupying their land. What are you doing to expel those concerns?
Humad: The government and the Somali army are responsible for creating an understanding between the people and AMISOM, and they are between us and any community we go in to.
Sabahi: Al-Shabaab militants have left the towns you have taken over, but you did not kill them. It is possible that they could return into the towns and mingle with the general populations?
Humad: Al-Shabaab is now facing a tough situation. The Somali government and AMISOM are committed to destroying anyone who is against peace. Therefore, we will go after them and capture them whether they hide among the people or go somewhere else.
Sabahi: Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed has called on al-Shabaab to surrender. Is AMISOM prepared to welcome and rehabilitate the youth who renounce al-Shabaab?
Humad: We will welcome them and we will do whatever we can with the government. However, they speak Somali so they will communicate with the government and we are ready to provide whatever the government needs from us.
The government is in charge of both welcoming and rehabilitation.
Sabahi: What is AMISOM doing to support the formation of regional administrations in Somalia?
Humad: We do not interfere with the creation of regional administrations. We are only building a peaceful environment for them to conduct talks. However, we are not supporting one particular administration over another.
Sabahi: In Baidoa, AMISOM forces were accused of taking sides in two competing federal administrations after troops halted a public rally supporting the election of Madobe Nunow Mohamed. What is your response?
Humad: The Somali people are the same to us. We did not prevent the rally, but we prevented violence that would have led to blood being spilled, and we do not allow that. Our mandate and power does not allow us to interfere with the politics of the nation.