Every Somali lawmaker in Mogadishu is in fear despite a recent salary increase from $3,000 to $3,200 to help with personal security

[Admin]

Saado Ali Warsame - Image Source: Bartamaha.com

 

Somalia's parliament has been officially in recess since July 24th, but the prospect of a 30-day vacation is not bringing much relief to lawmakers who are increasingly in al-Shabaab's crosshairs, with three lawmakers killed in less than a month.

The latest victim, lawmaker Sheikh Adan Madeer, was gunned down in Mogadishu August 1st as he returned home from a mosque near his house.

 

In similar ambush attacks carried out by gunmen, al-Shabaab killed lawmakers Saado Ali Warsame on July 23rd and Mohamed Mohamud Heyd on July 3rd.

 

In April, in two attacks 24-hours apart, al-Shabaab killed lawmakers Abdiaziz Isaak Mursal and Isaq Mohamed Rinow.

 

"It is clear why we are targeting these parliamentarians who call themselves lawmakers," said al-Shabaab spokesman Abdiaziz Abu Musab in a statement released on pro-al-Shabaab websites after Madeer's murder.

 

"They are men who replaced God's law with laws made by infidels and we will continue to kill these individuals who have welcomed the enemy in the country," he said.

Government response to al-Shabaab inadequate

Lawmaker Mohamed Omar Dalha blamed the government for failing to make the safety of lawmakers a national priority and allowing al-Shabaab to succeed.

 

"I put all of the blame on senior officials of the government who did not take full charge of providing protection for the members of parliament, and it is a great disservice to the public," Dalha told Sabahi.

 

"Security is not about a large number of bodyguards and money," he said, referring to a move by the administration following the attacks in April to increase lawmakers' salaries from $3,000 to $3,200 a month so that they could pay for their own security.

 

Rather than throwing money at the problem, he said, the government must address the country's general insecurity with a comprehensive plan.

 

"If the senior officials of the government are not able to do that, they have to ask for advice from those with expertise in that area and consult with them," he said.

 

"When one of your friends was murdered the day before yesterday, another was killed yesterday and one was killed today, it makes you think tomorrow you will be next," Dalha said.

 

Lawmaker Aweys Abdullahi also said the deteriorating security was worrisome for many lawmakers and affecting their ability to carry out their duties.

 

"Every lawmaker is in fear and is taking precautions," he told Sabahi, adding that he almost never leaves his house now. "There are spies working for al-Shabaab everywhere. No one can leave the house except on rare occasions. We are in a state of war."

 

Abdullahi said that while in session, the parliament's schedule was routinely disrupted due to attacks or security threats forcing debates on bills to be postponed.

 

"Meeting sessions were limited [because] every lawmaker was on high security alert," he said. "How much work could have been done but was delayed? There was a lot."

 

Retired Colonel Mohamed Osman, who served in the Somali National Security Service, the intelligence agency during the Mohamed Siad Barre regime, said the country requires a complete overhaul of the security apparatus.

 

"When I say reform, I am not talking about a minister replaced with another minister, or a commander replaced with another commander," he told Sabahi.

 

First, he said, government jobs should not be given based on clan affiliation but based on merit. "What is to stop someone who was refused a job unfairly or could not get money for an education from joining al-Shabaab," he said.

 

"Second, all soldiers, whether they are [working for the] police, intelligence agency or security forces, have to be paid their salaries on time and be given a [liveable] wage," he said.

 

"The person who is blowing himself up, the one killing people and the one fighting, they are people who were taken advantage of and brainwashed because of their circumstances and because they were enticed with money," he said. "Therefore, the reforms should start here, not with replacing a commander."

Lawmakers resolute against al-Shabaab despite fears

Dalha and Abdullahi both told Sabahi that al-Shabaab is targeting lawmakers because they are members of a body that represents the bedrock of government and the bridge between regular citizens and the administration.

 

"Since parliament is the [foundation] of government, they want to destroy it and with it the other branches of government so as to ensure the country remains a failed state," Dalha said. "However, we will not allow that."

 

Lawmakers have been a target ever since the Transitional Federal Government was established, he said, adding that fear has never deterred individuals who wanted to serve for the good of the people.

 

"If a lawmaker is killed, there will be another [person] ready to serve the public and replace him. No matter the fear, we will continue to carry on our work," Dalha said.

 

Similarly, Abdullahi said, "There is fear, but being Muslims and nationalists forces us to continue working."

 

"Lawmakers are responsible for communicating the public's needs to the administration, [and] without them, the connection between the government and people would be missing," he said. "Work might go slow but we will continue on."

 

Source: http://www.sabahionline.com/http://www.somaliaonline.com/every-somali-lawmaker-in-mogadishu-is-in-fear-despite-a-recent-salary-increase-from-3000-to-3200-to-help-with-personal-security/

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

I fear for Dalxa. He is a well-known ex-heesaa, plus an outspoken xildhibaan who doesn't skew his politics.

[Libaax-Sankataabte]

Maskiinoow, Dalxa is one of only few honest members of parliament. I feel for the man because he knows that there is not much that personal security can do if a suicide bomber blows himself up.

 

Ilaahay ha u fududeeyo iyagoo dhan, dhalinyaradaan habawsan ee wadanka qasayana, Rabigii weynaa ha soo hanuuniyo.

[cadnaan1]

Xildhibaadan xamar joogo qaarkood waxay u dhimanayaan baqiilnimadooda with that kind of wages in xamar 3200 plus with shaxaadkooda oo ay moshinada ka helaan waxay awoodaan 10 askari oo waardiyeysa everyday.

[Muhammad1508736698]

that extra 200 if added to security budget and the security forces are given their full rights including financial stability it can solve the security issues...but i guess the MPs are stooges just like the cabinet.. never expect a stability while the security officer at ur gate begs for few bucks.. this country is failed by the MPigs

[DoctorKenney]

<cite>

@Elmuhammadi

said:</cite>

that extra 200 if added to security budget and the security forces are given their full rights including financial stability it can solve the security issues...but i guess the MPs are stooges just like the cabinet.. never expect a stability while the security officer at ur gate begs for few bucks.. this country is failed by the MPigs

 

+1

 

These MP's are incredibly short-sighted. They should focus on paying the security forces first, increase their salaries and actually pay them on time.

[Holac]

$3200 salary in Somalia is a very very good money. If you can't hire personal security instead of using the money to pay your mortgage in the West, then you are putting your life and the life of others in danger.

[malistar2012]

The parliament is a joke , these are the same Mps who have been delaying strict terrorist bill that would punish Alshabaab members and financiers ....

 

 

Wasiirka Gaashaandhiga Oo Baarlamanka Ugu Baaqay Iney Ansixiyaan Sharciga La dagaalanka Argagixisada

Published on May 23, 2014 by Mowliid · No Comments · 574 views

Wasiirka Wasaaradda Gaashaandhigga ayaa mudanayaasha Baarlamaanka Soomaaaliya ugu baaqay in la meel mariyo sharciga la dagaalanka argagaxisada dalka si maxkmadda ciidamada qalabka sida ay u yeelato awood ay waajibaadkeeda ku gudato.

 

Wasiirka Gaashandhigga Maxamed Sheekh Xasan Xaamud ayaa hadlkan ka jeediyay xaflad uu xilka kula wareegayay guddoomiyaha cusub ee maxkamadda ciidamada qalabka sida Coll, C/raxmaan Maxamed Tuuryare taas oo shalay ka dhacday xarunta maxkamada ee magaalada Muqdisho.

 

“Sharciga la dagaalanka argagixisada baarlamanku horyaalaa marka baarlamankow noo ansixiya sharcigaasi si maxkamadu xoog u yeelato maxkamadana ha lala shaqeeyo” ayuu yiri wasiirka Gaashaandhiga Maxamed Sheekh.

 

Dhanka kale wasiirka Gaashaandhiga ayaa kula dardaarmay gudoomiyaha cusub ee maxkamada sare ee ciidamada qalabka sida in uu wax ka qabto kooxaha jidgooyooyinka dhigta ee ku labista dareeska ciidamada.

 

 

[malistar2012]

Madaxweynaha Oo Ka Codsaday Baarlamanka Iney Dedejiyaan Ansixinta Sharciga La Dagaalanka Argagixisada (Dhageyso)

Published on June 4, 2014 by Mowliid · No Comments · 876 views

Madaxweynaha Jamhuuriyadda Federaalka Soomaaliya mudane Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud ayaa ka codsaday baarlamaanka dalka in ay si deg deg ah u ansixiyaan sharciga la dagaalanka argagixisada.

 

Madaxweyne Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud ayaa ka hadlay baahida loo qabo in la helo aaliyadkii lagula dagaalami lahaa kooxaha argagixisada ah, waxuuna xusay in taasi ay ugu horeyso ansixinta shuruucda la dagaalanka argagixisada.

 

“Hab Dhaqan cusub ee bulsho waa inaan u leenahay diyaargareysnaan waa inaan u leenahay, shuruucdu waa muhiim maanta ninka dambiilaha ah ee tooreyda dadka ku dila iyo kan argagixisada ah ee baarlamanka weeraraya isku sharci ayaan ku xukuna, waana muhiim in qofka markii la soo hortaago sharciga uu leeyahay xeer iyo nidaam loo cuskado, kuwaan argagixisada ah waa inaan u helnaa sharcigii an ku qaadi laheyn’ ayuu yiri madaxweyne Xasan Sheekh.

 

Madaxweynaha oo hadalkiisa sii wata ayaa hoosta ka xaqiiqay in sharciga la dagaalanka argagixisada uu aad muhiim u yahay isagoo ka codsaday baarlamanka iney de dejiyaan ansixinta sharciga la dagaalanka argagixisada.

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[malistar2012]

These Mps are worried about motion and getting minister positions and etc .....

 

The latest Yuusuf Indho Cadde blames the Pariament for delaying to sign the Terrorist Bill , The Somali military court had to take matters into their hands and are now executing Alshabaab members in three days ....

 

 

Sidoo kale waxa uu Yuusuf Indho Cadde ku eedeyay Baarlamaanka inay qeyb ku lee yihiin ammaan darrida ka jirta magaalada Muqdisho, iyagoo hor istaagay inay ansixiyaan sharciga la dagaalanka Argagixisada oo hore loogu soo gudbiyay.