N.O.R.F Posted May 22, 2007 Somali government fires the commander of the armed forces Aweys Osman Yusuf Mogadishu 22, May.07 ( Sh.M.Network) The Somali government sacked the first commander of the national armed forces after he was accused of instigating the disturbances that took place in the port city of Kismayu, 500 km south of the capital Mogadishu, late last month. Col. Abdirizak Afgadud, told Shabelle by phone from Bulo Gadud settlement in Kismayu, that the clan fighting which happened in port town had nothing to do with his being fired. “I am a Somali soldier who has been ordered to step down. I took the orders and I am not angry but I was not involved in Kismayu fighting,” he said. He has indicated that he transferred the responsibility to another officer temporarily, stressing that he did not know why he was laid off. The situation in Kismayu is relatively calm lately after a government delegation arrived in the area and successfully mediated the two rival clans that fought over leadership. Somalia’s Defence Minster, Barre Hirakle was also sacked early this month as he was related to violence. Hirale, a former warlord, was in control of the port city before the Union of Islamic Courts, which were routed by the Ethiopian and Somalia troops, forcefully evicted the General out of the town. Shabelle Media Network Somalia E-mail us: info@shabelle.net Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
