The former commander of Al Shabaab militia hiding out in Galgala and the difficult terrain of Golis Mohamed Saed Atom has given himself up in Mogadishu, declaring that he has renounced violent activities on Saturday,
Addressing reporters during a news conference, Atom said from now on I will not involve in fighting in accordance with a deal with Mogadishu-based federal government.
He thanked those who accorded the warm welcome to him and disclosed at the surprise press briefing in Mogadishu that harsh principles by Al Shabaab leaders forced him out of the terror arena.
Making allegations against Al Shabaab boss Ahmed Abdi Godane whose group has been facing deep dissension, the fresh Al Shabaab deserter noted that Al Shabaab leader's group accustomed to shedding the blood of innocent civilians."They have no regard to general public who are in grave difficulties; such as displaced people whom they starve by blocking the relief assistance from generous Muslims and non-Muslims," according to a press statement from Ministry of Information
Continuing, he told that during his tenure as the commander of Al Shabaab fighters in Galgala, he opposed to the former Puntland administration of Farole.
Following the arrival of spectacular number of Al Shabaab militants in Galgala through Golis hills, he was forced to resign and depart hideouts in northeastern Somalia, Atom added.
The former commander of Al Shabaab militia in Puntland is labeled as arms-smuggler as well as warlord. His name appeared in UN Monitoring Group report and he was reported to the Security Council.
Al Qaeda linked extremists began to infiltrate into Golis mountain ranges after African Union troops propping up the Somali Federal Government forces removed the militants from a string of strategic towns in southern Somalia.
Puntland forces waged massive military offensives on Al Shabaab hideouts in mid-2010 when former Puntland President, Abdirahman Mohamed Farole's was in office in response to planned assassinations and suicide bombings largely in the Gulf of Aden port city of Bossaso.
The largest military response to Al Shabaab security threat by Puntland at the time dwindled the group's activities and left underground cells destroyed.
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Press Statement: Informatio
Information Minister: “We Welcome Sheikh Mohamed Said Atom’s Rejection of Al-Shabaab and Hope this Inspires Others to Follow his Example and Embrace Peace and Unity”
Mogadishu, 07 June 2014: On behalf of H.E. President Hassan Sheik Mohamud, the Prime Minister, H.E. Abdiweli Sheik Ahmed and the Federal Government of Somalia, the Ministry of Information commends Sheikh Mohamed Said Atom’s rejection of al-Shabaab, and hopes his brave step inspires others to follow his example and embrace peace and unity.
Sheik Atom has exposed the reality of al-Shabaab: un-Islamic and un-Somali, the puppets of foreign masters and riven by internal feuds. The insight he gives into the hellish reality of life under al-Shabaab completely contradicts the myths they spread in the media and he has the gratitude of Somalis everywhere for exposing their lies. Their blocking of aid agencies from Somalis in desperate need is a crime against humanity and Sheik Atom’s description of Al-Shabaab says it all “They have no regard to general public who are in grave difficulties; such as displaced people whom they starve by blocking the relief assistance from generous Muslims and non-Muslims” said Sheikh Atom.
The Federal Government of Somalia has consistently offered members of al-Shabaab who have realised the error of their ways and who renounce violence the opportunity to reintegrate with Somali society and guarantees their safety. As Sheik Atom says we can solve our differences through peaceful means, “I would like to declare that as of today I have decided to resolve my religious and political persuasion through peaceful means and understanding.” Sheikh Atom concluded.
ENDS
Ministry of Informaiton
Federal Republic of Somalia
Atom Statement, Saturday 07 June 2014
I, Sheikh Mohamed Said Mohamed (Atom), I have important news for the people of Somalia.
I have been tolerating the misleading of Ahmed Abdi Godane and his group towards the Sharia of Islam and Muslims.
I have today decided to leave Al-Shabaab for many reasons such as;
1. Youths were told that they are fighting to strengthen the Sharia of Islam, and they sentence people, however, Ahmed Godane and his cohorts don’t abide by the Sharia and no one can sentence them for it.
2. They deliberately kill Somali people who are muslims, and they kill them in markets, on roads and in Mosques.
3. They kill Muslims Ulumas and important people that they disagree with something, and they kill them, even when they are praying in the Mosques.
4. Jihad is for Allah, and it is something that is required for all Muslims while they are in unity. Ahmed Abdi proclaims that Jihad is something that belongs to him, therefore, he orders to kill, maim, detain, humiliate in the name of Jihad; until the rest are forced to flee.
5. They have no regard to general public who are in grave difficulties; such as displaced people whom they starve by blocking the relief assistance from generous Muslims and non-Muslims.
I would like to inform the members of Alshabab that by abandoning Al-Shabaab doctrine is NOT equivalent of apostasy, and those who criticize their actions and tactics, doesn’t mean that they criticize the Shariah and the religion in general. Islam is compassionate religion and it is for all.
Muslims can disagree on issues, but Allah mercifully asked them to refer to the Quran and settle with unity. Ahmed and his cohorts have no aspiration to do just that. Thus, I have my suspicion that they are working for a foreign agenda.
Finally, I would like to declare that as of today I have decided to resolve my religious and political persuasion through peaceful means and understanding. I have settled some of it already with the Federal Government of Somalia and I would like to thank them for the warm welcome accorded to me.
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