By Abdi Mohamed, editor in-chief

MOGADISHU (Sunatimes)- After Somali government has issued a decree ordering disarmament of the militiamen of the warlords joined the government, one of Somalia’s powerful warlords has described the move as inconsequential and war leads.

Speaking to local media, Yusuf Mohamed Siad rubbished the statement made by the defence minister over that the government will not accept militias and commanders which are not part of the government in areas it controls.

"I have heard that report. I think the minister is not aware of what is taking place in the country. We are not a threat to the government and Somali people but we are defending them” Siad said.

“We don't know whether the troops the minister is saying will disarm us exist. We are fighting Al-Shabab. The minister should use the troops he is mentioning for the capture of the country from Alshabaab which are causing suffering to the public," he noted.

Siad says his militias are not clan-based but mobilized as a group fighting Al-Shabab, adding that areas controlled by his group are peaceful, where the public are not harassed. He stressed that if the governemtn is preparing a war against his group they are ready for it.

"The minister of defense came from abroad and he does not have even two soldiers in the government forces. If he is claiming that he has soldiers, he should come alongside us and fight against Al-Shabab like us. If the minister is ready to fight us, we are ready," he angrily said.

Yusuf, a well-known Somali warlord commands hundreds of militiamen with enough battlewagons fighting alongside Somali troops and African union peacekeeping forces. He controls some areas in Mogadishu

He said there are ongoing talks between his group and the government, saying that the two sides will issue a joint statement in the coming hours.

Mogadishu, world’s most dangerous city is teetering with illegal arms and militias, as the weak Somali government looks powerless of dealing with the security of the country as it’s fighting Alshabaab which foreign security agencies said have more foreigners in their ranks.

The horn of Africa nation has been without central government since1991 after clan militias and warlords overthrown the dictator regime of Siad Barre that lastly leashed out to constant violence for more than 20 years.

SOURCE: SUNATIMES

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