FGS-FMS to form ‘joint war command’ to fight Al-Shabaab-communique

GOOBJOOG NEWS|DHUSAMAREB: A joint command comprising the Federal Government and Federal Member States will be established to oversee the war against Al-Shabaab, a meeting of leaders from both levels of government has resolved.

The National Consultative Council meeting chaired by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Dhusamareb which ended yesterday resolved to form a ‘joint command structure for the ongoing offensive against Al-Shabaab.”

The NCC brings together the President, Prime Minister, FMS presidents and Banaadir Regional Governor. President Mohamud has been based in Dhusamareb for the third week, overseeing the ongoing war against Al-Shabaab.

The NCC also resolved to align the current operations to the national counter-terrorism strategy. On the second phase of the operations, the NCC agreed to ‘accelerate preparations’ for the offensive which will move south to South West, parts of HirShabelle and Jubaland states.

It is not clear if Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti will be sending in additional troops for the second phase as part of the agreement reached into in January during the Front-Line States Summit.

The NCC also urged Al-Shabaab fighters to take advantage of the recently announced amnesty and ‘denounce the ‘terrorist ideology.’ The NCC will also implement a nation-wide reconciliation in line with the National Reconciliation Strategy, the meeting resolved.