By Zakaria Soohoyde - Reporter
MOGADISHU, 19 October The Speaker of Somalia's House of the People, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jama, has called on the federal government to hold the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) accountable over security developments in South West State.
Speaking at a dinner meeting in Mogadishu with federal lawmakers from South West State, Jama questioned why areas where AUSSOM forces had previously been deployed are now reportedly under the control of Al-Shabaab, urging the government to seek explanations from the mission.
"We want the government to hold the peacekeeping forces accountable for why areas where they were stationed have fallen to the Khawaarij," Jama said, using the Somali government's term for Al-Shabaab.
The speaker also called on the government to engage Kenya over what he described as activities being planned from its territory that result in the deaths of Somali civilians.
He specifically referred to individuals whom he said had been placed on Somalia's list of terrorists but were still living in Kenyan cities. Jama questioned why, according to his claims, Kenyan authorities had not taken action against them despite allegedly knowing where they stay and having security personnel protecting them.
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"It is not possible for a country with which we maintain good relations, diplomatic relations and economic ties to host a man who is spilling the blood of the Somali people," he said.
Jama argued that Somalia's diplomatic and economic ties with Kenya should not prevent the two governments from addressing allegations concerning threats to Somali security.
He further called on the federal government to take concrete measures that would reassure residents affected by ongoing conflict and insecurity.
The dinner was also attended by South West State leader Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur ‘Madobe’ and other senior officials.
Jama’s remarks come amid continued tensions in South West State, where fighting has involved forces aligned with former regional president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen and federal government-aligned forces. The Somali government has previously alleged that the forces aligned with Laftagareen receive support from Al-Shabaab.