Ink of Abdi Musse
Is al Shabab dehydrated after Sheikh Aweys? Do we have to believe that Al Shabab is no more besetting the people? What next to Al Shabab, I mean what is the next challenge to the Federal Government of Somalia?
Al Shabab used before to speak loudly, to judge ostensibly, to claim all disastrous and wicked actions and to eye the people with their frightful manner, but now after their internal crisis and Sh. Aweys's defection, are they dehydrated, shrinking and disappearing or are they hatching out to a clan system?
This is an open question to everyone who dedicated to follow the developments of Somalia.
To me, as a common person from horn of Africa, it is incontestable that some way or the other Al Shabab is shrinking, fading and disappearing from the possible battle scenes in Somalia.
Let me be either right or not; the capture or surrender of Aweys has no direct affect to al Shabab's expiry date, I mean al Shabab was valid from a specific date to another, but what is the next challenge of the current government? For me it is quite clear that the latest reflections from for example Lower Jubba is the rejuvenation phenomena of the notorious warlords. I am not fit to foretell what is coming to happen in the future but according to the passive policy of the government and the challenge from the clan linked regionalism, we have to keep in mind that excessive optimism is out of the way.
Sheikh Aweys, prominent and spiritual leader is not only the epicenter pillar of Islamic groups in Somalia but he is also from a clan dwelling in Central and South Somalia, a clan who has visible influence to the ongoing governmental system in Somalia. This clan persuaded Sheikh Aweys to surrender to the government for the retaliation of getting some kind of suitable treatment from the governing body of the government (judiciary organ.
The result is that goodwilling people who fished Sheikh Aweys from the sea of alShabab is now disappointed and fed up with the unclear fate of the Sheikh Aweys. Besides that many people are amazing, why Sheikh Aweys is being treated different while his colleagues were welcomed open heartedly. His colleagues like From (Sheikh Shariif) to Sheikh Indha-Cade? Aren't they tarred with the same brush? I guess now why he is different; he did not repent or took back his stance, that is why he is not applicable to the treatment manner that above mentioned masters have enjoyed.
On the other hand, other members of Al Shabab who dreamed or dreaming now to defect from al Shabab are supposedly hesitating to take the same step that Sheikh Aweys took, fearing to face an unsuitable treatment from the government. They do not dare to take that step, Do they?
I am not defending Sheikh Aweys but I always keep in mind the well known saying “with menace to none with mercy for all”.
Finally I dare to say ; Let the government be more hospitable, more merciful, more farsighted and more compromised.
Abdi Musse Mohamud
Freelancer journalist
abdimusem@yahoo.com