Former Warlord Colonel Barre Aden Shire (Hiiraale)
Saturday, April 19, 2014
By Sharfi’i Mohyaddin
Former Somali warlord Colonel Barre Aden Shire popularly known as (Hiiraale) accused the Interim Jubba Administration (IJA) of what defined as ‘widespread’ killings and rape against local people in the southern Jubba regions.
Former defense minister Colonel Barre Hiiraale denounced the reconciliation efforts made by the Somali Prime minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed who tried to mediate a lasting solution between the opposing sides who fought for the control of southren regions.
“Our people in Lower Jubba are usually massacred and raped, while their property is being stolen We are committed to fighting so as long such atrocities were still taking place.” the former Somali defense minister said in an interview with VOA Somali service on Saturday.
“We will continue to fight against the so-called interim Jubba administration, we will not lay down our arms or sit down with them—our people are humiliated and being massacred in Kismayo” Colonel Hiiraale said while terming Somali Prime minister’s 8-day visit to the region as ‘unfortunate’ and unwanted.
“Abdiweli is the Prime minister of the whole country, but it was really unfortunate that he was a guest for one faction” said Colonel Hiiraale whose men were ousted out of the city by the Raaskambooni militia loyal to the former Islamist warlord Ahmed Madoobe with the alleged assistance from Kenyan forces in the region.
Hiiraale’s accusations come as the Somali Prime minister ended his 8-day tour to the region in an attempt to finalize a peace accord between Hiiraale and the region’s Interim administration, but that attempt seems to have went up in smoke.
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