BRINK: Militias, federal forces mass up in Mogadishu as Farmaajo remains put

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Amid the intransigence at Villa Somalia where Mohamed Farmaajo whose term as president of Somalia ended in February is charting an extended stay, militias are massing in Mogadishu in a tragic reminder of years gone by when this city was largely ruled by the barrel of the gun.

Investigations by Goobjoog News have revealed the build-up of militias allied to various factions all of whom are opposed to Farmaajo’s extended stay in office. In northern Mogadishu, militias led by former National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) General Abdirahman Turyare and former Somali National Army commandant General Mohamud Koronto have been mobilising and taking control of the area which locates Karaan district.

General Turyare told Goobjoog News he will not ‘tolerate’ oppression. “Calmness is important, but oppression is not allowed, everyday they are humiliating very important persons. This will not be tolerated,” Turyare said about what he termed as mistreatment opposition figures among them former presidents by the government.

His men clad in military wear and armed with high calibre weapons, some of which mounted on technicals were seen roaming within the area. Locals have expressed fears of a possible clash with federal forces.

Turyare told journalists Monday he had escaped death after federal forces fired at his convoy and that of General Koronto as they exited the residence of former president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Abdiaziz district.

In Shirkole area which stretches between Hodan and Daynile districts in the southern part of Mogadishu, forces loyal to immediate former Banaadir regional police boss Sadaq John have been setting up base sealing off the area with trenches.

Militias under the command of former Mogadishu city police boss Sadaq John take positions at their base in Shirkole area, Mogadishu. Photo: Feisal Omar/Reuters

Farmaajo held back an attack on Sadaq John’s forces last weekend following the intervention of Galmudug president Ahmed Qoorqoor. Security Minister Hassan Hundubey would later deny such attempts.

Federal forces too have been stationed in various parts of the city despite reports of unease among some units. Gorgor, Darufan and Haram’ad units have been stationed in strategic government-controlled locations particularly the Villa Somalia and Parliament buildings.

An investigation by Goobjoog News early this month revealed that prices of military-grade weapons in Mogadishu had shot up within three months with some rising by 100%. Weapons traders also confirmed that sales had shot up as various factions and groups armed up.