Southwest State president offers amnesty to Al-Shabaab fighters

The president of Southwest, Shariif Hassan Sheikh Adan on Sunday extended amnesty to Al-Shabaab fighters who renounced terrorism and violence.

Speaking during his visit in Barawe town the president said his government will not punish Al-Shabaab fighters who laid down arms.

“Our amnesty offer to the youths who have joined Al-Shabaab remains and appeal to them to renounce violence and join us in the task of state building,” said Adan.

It was the first time the interim government, which has struggled to quash Al-Shabaab rebellion, had offered immunity to Al-Shabaab fighters.

He said the hit and run attacks of the armed group in the state will not stop the ongoing security and development progress in the recuperating state and Somali government is ready to forgive the group leaders if they shun the violence.

“Southwest government does not want to revenge but we will continue talking and welcome any one who ditches the violent idea,”

Somalia government announced an amnesty for Al-Shabaab fighters last year and has been re-integrating the ones who heeded the offer to surrender arms into the society.

The African Union (AU) has some 22,000 troops battling al-Shabab in southern Somalia, where it was formed nearly a decade ago to fight and depose the western backed Somali government.