By Younis Ahmed, staff writer
Mogadishu, Somalia (Somalistandard) – Somali politicians are skeptical of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s recent announcement on the government’s plan to control illegal weapons in Somalia.
The President has issued a ban on government officials traveling in military vehicles in Mogadishu and carrying heavy weapons, citing concerns over misuse of military vehicles and the widespread availability of weapons in the city.
However, skeptics view these measures with suspicion, seeing them as potentially part of a hidden agenda to disarm and silence political opponents.
There are concerns that the government may selectively enforce these measures, targeting specific individuals or factions while allowing others to continue their activities unchecked, in a bid to consolidate power in the hands of the ruling government.
Critics suggest that this could be a tactic to suppress dissent and opposition voices under the guise of controlling weapons.
Moreover, political observers are uneasy about the government’s new strategies and laws to combat the extremist group Al-Shabaab, fearing that they may be used as a pretext to crack down on dissent.
Past governments in Somalia have been accused of using counterterrorism measures to suppress political opposition, and critics are wary that President Mohamud’s announcement may follow a similar pattern.
Questions are also being raised over the effectiveness of these measures in addressing the underlying security challenges faced by Somalia.
Banning the possession of heavy weapons and military vehicles alone may not be enough to tackle the deep-rooted insecurity and instability in the country, they say arguing that the government needs to address the socio-political and economic issues that contribute to the proliferation of weapons and extremist groups like Al-Shabaab instead.
Transparency and accountability in the implementation of these measures are also a concern for critics. Without proper oversight and monitoring, there is a risk of abuse and corruption, which may further undermine the government’s efforts to control illegal weapons and combat extremism.
As President Mohamud’s plan to control illegal weapons unfolds, his opponents are increasingly doubtful about its true intentions and effectiveness in addressing the security challenges faced by Somalia. The government needs to address these concerns, ensure transparency and accountability, and gain the trust and support of the local population in its efforts to establish security and stability in the country, they suggested.
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