Shabaab rubbishes NISA claims as ‘ridiculous’ as ex-president accuses agency of ‘terrorist propaganda’

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Al-Shabaab, known for its brutal and senseless killings has once again distanced itself from accusation by the NISA that it was planning attacks against the Prime Minister and outgoing President echoing opposition politicians and security analysts that the claims were ‘diversionary.

Al-Shabaab said in a rejoinder to the accusations that the allegations were ‘ridiculous’ adding it did not have a member named Mohamed Mahir in its organisation. The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) said in a tweet on Tuesday it had briefed Prime Minister Mohamed Roble and outgoing President Mohamed Roble about Al-Shabaab threats on their lives.

The agency said Mohamed Mahir, whom it identified as a senior Al-Shabaab member was the mastermind of the planned attack. The denial by Al-Shabaab is the second in recent months as NISA comes under heavy criticism for playing politics.

In September, NISA blamed Al-Shabaab for the disappearance and alleged death of former spy agent Ikran Tahlil Farah. The group immediately rejected the claims and in its second rebuttal yesterday. Reiterated that NISA killed its agent. NISA has widely been accused of being behind the death of Ikran. A military court tribunal which many sources said worked under the dictates of Villa Somalia has since absolved the agency of the agent’s death.

TERRORIST PROPAGANDA

Al-Shabaab’s rejoinder adds to growing dismissals of the NISA statement further putting into question the credibility of the agency. Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said in a tweet on Tuesday that NISA was ‘spreading terrorist propaganda.’

“It is unfortunate that institutions mandated to be responsible for our national security are spreading terrorist groups’s propaganda and leading fearmongering against the national leaders,” the former head of state said adding, “warn the President and security institutions against any measures intended to derail the electoral process.”

Two-time former Prime Minister Omar Sharmarke also echoed similar sentiments. “Be that as it may, the last Twitter alert from NISA only indicates N&N’s (Nabad and Nolol) panic mood towards the conduct of the elections. If no adequate measures are introduced to contain NISA’s hierarchy, the agency will be the theatre to plan sinister activities that will endanger the election.”

Nabad and Nolol (Peace and Life) is a slogan associated with outgoing President Mohamed Farmaajo.

NISA currently does not have a substantive head but Yasin Yarey, one of Farmaajo’s henchmen who was recently elected MP in HirShabelle is in an acting capacity.