The South West State Government has warned against what it described as weapons allegedly imported from Egypt being transferred to armed groups linked to militias and extremist groups, saying the move poses a threat to the country’s overall security.
The government’s Ministry of Internal Security said in a statement that the weapons could cause further instability, incite conflict, and undermine social cohesion.
The ministry also expressed serious concerns about the motive behind the measures, saying they appeared to be aimed at destabilizing the South West and targeting Ethiopian troops who are part of the peacekeeping mission.
The move comes amid allegations that arms supplied by the Egyptian government to Somalia were being diverted to the South West opposition, with South West officials saying that weapons intended for national defense were being used for internal conflicts.
The federal government of Somalia has previously denied allegations that it is distributing weapons to militias loyal to politicians opposed to President Lafta Gareen.
These issues come as Federal Government officials today deployed a thousand soldiers armed with light and heavy weapons to Bakool region, reportedly intended to liberate Lafta Gareen from the Southwest.
