Mogadishu residents celebrate security and development one year after al-Shabaab

Mahmoud Mohamed in Mogadishu contributed to this report

August 07, 2012

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One year after the Somali National Army, with support from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), forced al-Shabaab from fixed positions in Mogadishu, residents celebrated the improvements in security and infrastructure development enjoyed in the capital.

  • Somali women clap during a ceremony marking the first anniversary of the withdrawal of al-Shabaab from Mogadishu at Konis Stadium. [Mohamed Abdiwahab/AFP]

    Somali women clap during a ceremony marking the first anniversary of the withdrawal of al-Shabaab from Mogadishu at Konis Stadium. [Mohamed Abdiwahab/AFP]

  • Somalis applaud during a ceremony marking the first anniversary of al-Shabaab removal from Mogadishu at Konis Stadium. [Mohamed Abdiwahab/AFP]

    Somalis applaud during a ceremony marking the first anniversary of al-Shabaab removal from Mogadishu at Konis Stadium. [Mohamed Abdiwahab/AFP]

  • Somalis dance and raise pictures of the Somali president during anniversary celebrations at Konis Stadium. [Abdurashid Abdulle Abikar/AFP]

    Somalis dance and raise pictures of the Somali president during anniversary celebrations at Konis Stadium. [Abdurashid Abdulle Abikar/AFP]

The past year has been the longest period of relative peace since the collapse of the federal government in 1991, AMISOM said in a statement released Tuesday (August 7th), one day after anniversary celebrations.

Somali citizens, politicians and stakeholders celebrated the one-year anniversary of the ouster of al-Shabaab on Monday with musical performances and people waving the blue and white Somali flag.

At a rally inside Konis stadium, President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed thanked AMISOM and troops from Ethiopia "for helping us to crush our common enemy".

Monday night, Ahmed hosted a dinner at the presidential palace in Mogadishu for top Somali armed forces' commanders, cabinet ministers and Deputy Prime Minister Hussein Arab Isse, who is also the Minister of Defence.

He highlighted Somalia's achievements, citing the prevailing security in Mogadishu, approval of the new constitution and impending selection of the new parliament, UN-funded Radio Bar-Kulan reported.

Nur Ali Kulmiye, a shop owner at Suqa Bakaraha market, told Sabahi a lot has changed since August 6, 2011.

"Al-Shabaab imposed hardship and grief on civilians when they controlled Mogadishu," he said. The market was the financial hub of al-Shabaab's Mogadishu operations at the time. Since their removal, security has improved significantly and businesses are thriving.

"Truly, you can see a huge difference between [life] now and when al-Shabaab was here," Kulmiye said.

"As Somalia marks this important anniversary and prepares to end the transition, the African Union Mission in Somalia will continue to work with the Somali authorities to create conditions conducive to the deepening of the national dialogue and reconciliation process," said Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia Ambassador Boubacar Diarra, reaffirming the African Union's commitment to Somalia's peace process.

"At this crucial election period, and as AMISOM forces continue to help secure more areas of the country, we urge Somali leaders to remain united and put the national interest first," he said.

With al-Shabaab no longer in control, Mogadishu has experienced a construction boom as Somali expatriates return to rebuild their homes, hotels and businesses.

Markets have been reopened, schools and hospitals established, roads repaired and solar lights installed on Mogadishu's main roads. The Aden Adde International Airport has been refurbished and international carriers, such as Turkish Airlines, are operating regular flights into and out of the capital.

"August 6th is an important day that should be remembered and celebrated," Yusuf Abdi Roble, a 42-year-old Mogadishu resident, told Sabahi. "It is the day Mogadishu got rid of al-Shabaab, the enemy of peace for Somalis."

Roble said the militants are now on their last breath and security forces must continue the military pressure in order to free the country.

"Al-Shabaab is about to be [finished]. They have been pushed out of many parts of the territory," he said. "Now, operations must be intensified against them to free Somalia completely."

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Reader's Comments

  • mohamad
    August 18, 2012 @ 02:09:48AM

    There are key components to combat terrorism through strengthening the capacity of the security forces, and inflict painful blows to the terrorists and destroy their networks, as well as adopt a program of financial grants to everyone who contributes to provide information about the terrorists, as well as the development of culture, education, economy, and support moral and spiritual development of society. The Somali government today claim to involve all institutions of society in the implementation of anti-terrorism strategy, everyone in his respective field, even at the level of education, there should be that kind of education in all levels of school focusing on seriousness of terrorist acts and prevent their sanctity at the level of religion and society and the nation. Also focus on strengthening the intellectual security, because terrorism is the result of deviant ideas. The terrorists often depend on the dissemination of ideas that affect the world public opinion for support.

  • mohamad abdi
    August 17, 2012 @ 07:42:14AM

    If there is use of force that is witnessed in the country, the army through its power tries to stop those violent people and sacrifices the lives of its soldiers in order to foster stability and security and peace and every day we get information from the media by listening watching and reading regarding what the soldiers value and how they lose their lives and their equipment and daily rescue missions for those who have been kidnapped by pirates and terrorists, so a salutation of honor goes to the Somali soldiers.

  • Kimario Leons Ngalai
    August 15, 2012 @ 08:43:14AM

    I am very pleased to hear this news, it will not be long until the whole of Somalia is saved from the claws of the enemy

  • sayyad omar
    August 9, 2012 @ 05:14:52PM

    I believe Somali has a potential to grow and the future looks brighter than it looked ten years ago. There are several reasons to be optimistic about the future of Somali. The first thing is that the government is doing all it can to ensure there is peace in the country. They are also trying to do away with the terrorist group Al shabab which has been a stumbling in the growth of the economy. The Somali people also want to rebuild their country and the refugees are going back to their countries and engaging in activities that will boost their economy. The government of Somali is also calling on the international investor to come and invest in the county which in turn will boost the economy. There have been a lot of infrastructural activities going on like building of roads, schools hospitals and other social amenities. The communication is being upgraded and Somalia is getting connected to the world and they will be able to conduct business worldwide.

  • N. Gitonga
    August 9, 2012 @ 11:22:19AM

    We in Kenya wish our neighbours, the Somali people the best in their quest to establish peace, stability and prosperity in their war ravaged country. Peace, stability and prosperity will one day be enjoyed in the Republic of Somalia where Somali women and children will live and walk without fear of senseless slaughter.

  • martha makola
    August 9, 2012 @ 03:23:43AM

    happy to hear that

  • Kimario Leons Ngalai
    August 8, 2012 @ 08:29:26AM

    It’s good news to hear that our Somali brothers are living in peace after eliminating the enemies of peace, Oh Almighty God bless the African Union troops (AMISOM). The armies of Ethiopia and Somalia you have done a great work

  • muna
    August 8, 2012 @ 06:51:02AM

    First, I like Somalia to become and return to its development track but this can only be achieved by repenting to God, avoiding injustices and giving equal treatment to all. We should repent of dividing people, tribalism and stop all other filthy issues. Let us protect our nation in unity. Those who are charged with responsibility should execute their duties for the sake and fear God and we should also obey them. Somalia should mind its interest and stop foreign involvements in its affairs. If we are sincere to one another no one can wrong us. Thank you.

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