ASWJ Spokesman Mohamed Hussein (Awliyo)
Somalia Report interviewed Mohamed Hussein (Awliyo), the spokesman of Ahlu Sunna wal Jamaa (ASWJ), a Sufi-led pro-government militia battling against al-Shabaab insurgent forces in central Somalia, with the support of Ethiopian forces. The spokesman made it clear that the ASWJ does not want Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to interfere in regions under its control and urged local citizens to support his militia.
Thank you, Honorable Spokesman, for giving Somalia Report an exclusive interview about the current political challenges facing ASWJ. Please tell us about the security tension in Galgudud, since there has been constant conflict in the region?
Thank you. The tension is now calm and we have so far managed to liberate some areas previously administered by the insurgents group of al-Shabaab and we shall continue eliminating them until we liberate the entire region and peace and order flourish in the region.
TFG lawmakers and its officials for the central region are in Galgudud region. How will the ASWJ work with them?
That is good question. In fact, we see them as the obstacle to peace in the region and so we sent delegates, including elders and Islamic leaders, to persuade them to leave. We do not want to shed their blood. We urged them to leave the area and we are still waiting an answer from them.
How is the security of Abudwak town since a lawmaker from the TFG (Abdi Sa'di Jama Abdihafit) and the central state arrived there?
The security is not enough safe now because the Somali lawmaker came with 15 battle vehicles and promised to fight with ASWJ in the region. They also promised to give salaries to a group of armed men who are loyal to the government. We are carefully keeping an eye on both the TFG lawmaker and official of the central state who are in the region illegally. I assure you that TFG top officials sent them to undermine the stability in the region.
Recently ASWJ fought with Shabelle Valley Administration (SVA) forces in Hiran. Can you give us information about this?
ASWJ forces were attacked by the forces of Shabelle Valley and we have right to defend ourselves. We are declaring that Shabelle Valley forces are our brothers and we have been fighting together to wipe out al-Shabaab from Hiran region. There was a disagreement, but ASWJ wants peace and to coexist with any interested party.
Have you captured any al-Shabaab fighters and, if so, are any still in the custody of ASWJ?
Yes, we captured many fighters who are mostly young boys. We do not keep them in our custody for more than 48 hours. Once they explain they were mislead by the extremists, we hand over to their families or relatives. We treat them well as long as they are in the prison.
There are more states in Galgaudud claiming to control territory in the region, such as Galmudug and Himan and Heeb. What do you make of this?
Actually we do not recognize the states and we are calling upon them to stop misleading the innocent people who have been without an effective central government. ASWJ controls most of the region and will soon reach others small areas controlled by pirates, al-Shabaab, and the state.
What will be the next step if ASWJ destroys the power of al-Shabaab?
Our objectives are many, but the main ones are to flush out al-Shabaab from Galgudud, Hiran and Gedo regions. In addition, we plan the following:
-To end the long lasting conflict which has strongly hindered social, political, and economic development in the region;
-To establish rapid industrialization and create employment opportunities for the youth who are jobless;
-To provide and expand health amenities including hospitals;
-To eradicate ignorance, poverty and establish an effective education system to the people in Galgudud region equally without looking his or her ethnic background;
-To hold workshops and seminars to provide awareness about the effects of conflict and how people can join the peace process in Galgudud.
What is your final word towards the people in the entire region?
I would like to take advantage of this precious opportunity to mobilize the people of the region and urge them to cooperate with our ASWJ forces mentally, physically, and financially and inform us if they come across any person trying to create insecurity in the region.
Thank you Honorable Mohamed Hussein (Awliyo)
You are welcome.