By Asha Elmi - Reporter
MOGADISHU (Dawan) – Opposition leader and presidential candidate Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame has stressed that any initiative by the government to enforce weapons surrender must first be preceded by a political agreement. He described disarmament as a political process that cannot be reduced to a mere security operation.
“Weapons surrender is a political process,” Abdirahman said. “A political agreement comes first.”
He emphasized that the government must first address the reasons that compelled citizens to arm themselves and explain why public confidence in state institutions has weakened.
“If there is a reason I am armed, and that reason is not discussed, my weapons cannot be surrendered,” he said.
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Abdirahman accused the government of targeting opposition politicians with the disarmament campaign while ignoring armed groups and clan militias aligned with the administration.
The Somali government has previously stated that disarmament is essential to strengthen security and prevent armed groups from destabilizing the capital.
Abdirahman concluded by stressing that successful weapons surrender requires a political solution, dialogue, and restoration of trust among the government, opposition, and the wider community.