Somalia PM denies paying Al-Shabaab to keep Mogadishu secure

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has denied his government pays Al-Shabaab to stop attacks on Mogadishu, saying it has never held talks with the group.

Barre said in an interview with Dawan TV that the government does not pay the Islamist militant group large sums of money so that the capital remains relatively secure and authorities can boast about it.

He said the allegations were spread by members of the government of former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, but did not name them.

Barre said he believed those officials themselves had contacts and friendly relations with Al-Shabaab.

He did not provide evidence for the accusation.

Barre said the government and Al-Shabaab were engaged only in fighting, not talks, but he did not rule out future talks with the group.

The government has never been averse to talks, he said, but only wants to talk to anyone in Al-Shabaab who wants to renounce the group and its ideology.

Those who do have the right to live as they wish and could even join the government, he said.

Former Al-Shabaab members currently work for the government and some hold senior official portfolios, he added.

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