Mogadishu mayor calls for independent force to secure city

Banaadir Regional Administration has called for the establishment of an independent security force with a joint operation, command and control to secure the region which includes the capital Mogadishu.

Banaadir Regional Administration (BRA) governor who also doubles as mayor of Mogadishu Thabit Mohamed told a security conference Monday in Mogadishu several security forces were operating in the city making it difficult to realise effective security management.

“[Banaadir] also has the highest number of different security forces given the constant security threats it faces,” Thabit said. “This is why we are convinced on the need for BRA to have its own dedicated joint operation command and control.”

“This is the best way forward if we aim to make gains from the investments so far,” the governor added.

Mohamed said the Banaadir region had suffered the most from frequent terror attack including the October 14 truck bombing which killed over 500 people noting it was imperative to take practical steps to ensure the peace and stability in the region.

“BRA cannot afford to maintain the status quo of security that continually tears down families,” Mohamed observed,” adding, “Our meeting calls for taking a brave and courageous steps towards shifting the security standard of Mogadishu and Banadir region and by extension Somalia.”

STABILISATION FORCE

The Federal Government established a 1,500 strong Mogadishu Stabilisation Force in May which is dedicated to providing security within the city. The force operates alongside the military, intelligence agency NISA and the police.

The governor’s remarks particularly on command and control comes amid cases of conflict between the security forces in the city which have resulted in deaths.

In July, six security forces were killed when intelligence agency, NISA officers clashed with members of the presidential elite security squad near the presidential palace in Mogadishu.

Two months later in mid-September at least six people were killed when forces attached to the Mogadishu Stabilisation Force engaged in a battle with military officers in Hanta-Dheer area in Mogadishu’s Hodan district.

Governor Mohamed noted his administration was ready to work with stakeholders to develop a transition road-map for Amisom troops.

“As BRA commits to transition and enjoys a good working relationship with Amisom, we are ready to jointly work to establish transition based on areas of sustainable take-over such as the Mogadishu stadium.”

One courageous step is to commit to our bench mark to our strategic of transitioning Amisom to Somali security forces, the governor said.