Africa

SOMALIA: Mogadishu’s Powerful Warlord and TFG Threat Arrested

February 19, 2011   ·   2026911 Commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fsomalilandpress.com%2Fsomalia-mogadishus-powerful-warlord-and-tfg-threat-arrested-20269SOMALIA%3A+Mogadishu%27s+Powerful+Warlord+and+TFG+Threat+Arrested+2011-02-20+01%3A41%3A42Qalinle+Husseinhttp%3A%2F%2Fsomalilandpress.com%2F%3Fp%3D20269

MOGADISHU — The weak transitional government (TFG) of Somalia led by former cleric Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed arrested five officials including a leading warlord in Mogadishu on Wednesday.

The five men were arrested by AMISOM troops, a regional peacekeeping mission operated by the African Union with the approval of the United Nations in Somalia and were handed over to security members of the TFG.

The five men are identified as Mohamed Omar Habeb also known as “Mohamed Dheere” – a powerful warlord and the former mayor of Mogadishu, Abdi Qeibdid, Mohamed Rage Tifow, Ali Nur Mohamed and Nur Ali Yalahow.

During a press conference held in Mogadishu on Wednesday evening, senior TFG officials confirmed the arrests. The Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed “Farmajo” said the men were detained over the deaths of three civilians during Tuesday’s peacefull rally. He said the men were behind the incident that also left more than ten injured.

Several hundred civilians on Tuesday marched through the city from the presidential villa demonstrating against violent groups such as Al-shabaab and in support of Somali lawmakers recent vote to extend the TFG’s term by another three years.

In an effort to disperse the crowd, members of the Somali military, who are loyal to Mohamed Dheere opened fire on the demonstrators. Confused and shaken crowd ran in all directions, some carrying injured men and women.

A senior state official who asked to remain anonymous told Somalilandpress that Mohamed Dheere was hoping to replace former the cleric Sheikh Sharif when his term expires in August 2011. He was infuriated by the Somali lawmakers decision to extended its own mandate by three years.

Mohamed Dheere is considered one of the most powerful warlords in Mogadishu with support from all walks of life including the Somali military and regional police. He is also known for his abuse of power and disregard for human lives.

In 2007, Mohamed Dheere and the former Somali leader, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, who hails from the Puntland region killed more than 8,636 civilians in and around Mogadishu in a mass campaign against certain clans using foreign and local forces. Elders from the Hawiye clan, led by Mohamed Hassan Haad many times accused Mohamed Dheere and Abdillahi Yusuf of committing a hidden-genocide and crimes against humanity.

In 2008, he continued his way and one way or another is believed to be responsible for the deaths of more than 7,574 civilians with the approval of president Abdullahi Yusuf. In July 2008, he was dismissed as the mayor of Mogadishu by Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein with the support of Hawiye elders and civilians in Mogadishu. However, Mr Yusuf over turned the decision and the whole Somali government and parliament went into a deep crisis–most of Abdullahi Yusuf and Mohamed Dheere supporters resigned. The Ethiopian army, who were not aware of Mohamed Dheere’s real intentions and Abdullahi Yusuf clan animosity against the Hawiye began to understand their real motives.

The Ethiopian forces began to isolate Mohamed Dheere and his alley–by December Abdullahi Yusuf resigned after he failed to sack PM Nur Hassan and Mohamed Dheere was arrested by the Ethiopian forces near KM4 junction and his weapons seized.

The senior official added that the TFG decided to arrest him because he is seen as a threat to their existence and it was never about the crimes they committed. “Mohamed Dheere has been committing crimes for as long as we can remember. Nothing has changed–he is a threat, he had to be taken out for strategical reasons,” he said.

The weak TFG which controls only few blocks with the help of AU troops can not afford an open war with another powerful warlord and had to be taken off the road.

Residents in Mogadishu are predicting an imminent three-way war between TFG, warlords and Islamists. While many believe, the TFG has no choice but to release Mohamed Dheere very soon.

Somalilandpress | 19 Feb 2011

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By Qalinle Hussein

Tags: Abdullahi Yusuf, Genocide, Mohamed dheere, Protest, Puntland, Somalia, TFG