On Saturday, the Director of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sanbaloolshe, urged the Hawadle clan to renew their efforts against Al-Shabaab during a peace and security meeting in the Mahaas district of the Hiiraan region.
Leading the meeting, the Ali Madahweyne subclan of the Hawadle clan gathered many attendees, such as peacekeepers, intellectuals, academics, youth, women, businessmen, politicians, MPs, and officials. Notable participants included the leader of the Macawisley militia and the Vice President of Hirshabelle.
Sanbaloolshe stressed the necessity of unity within the community and the establishment of official leadership, highlighting the importance of securing the Hop 58 parliamentary seat. “I urge this meeting to yield positive outcomes for President Ali, the Hawadle, the region, and the Somali nation. This meeting should conclude with a strong stance against restarting the conflict with the Khawarij. Unity can achieve everything, and this meeting should bring happiness to the Hawadle clans and other nations,” he said.
Emerging in response to grievances against Al-Shabaab, the Macawisley, named after the colorful sarong worn by its members, has been instrumental in reclaiming territories in central Somalia since mid-2022, primarily operating in the states of Hirshabelle and Galmudug.
Currently, ongoing security operations by the Macawisley have been crucial in pushing back Al-Shabaab. However, their emergence has introduced several security-political challenges. The Somali National Armed Forces and allied self-defense militias like the Macawisley have seen success in military operations, yet the long-term integration of these militias into formal security structures remains a complex issue.
Reflecting Somalia’s evolving political and security landscape, the revised 2023 National Security Architecture (NSArch) has been introduced. Initially presented in 2017, the NSArch aimed to coordinate security responsibilities across the federal structure. The revised framework now centralizes command and emphasizes the role of the FGS, increasing the size of the SNA and police force and enhancing federal control over security affairs. This centralization is essential as Somalia prepares for the withdrawal of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) forces by December 2024.
