Somalia: Somali states to form a joint force to fight al-Shabaab
Federal Member States in Somalia have announced the creation of a new force to fight the activities of al-Shabaab in the country.
According to a communiqué released on Thursday, Somalia’s Council of Interstate Cooperation has agreed to draw 1,000 soldiers from each Federal Member State, to “integrate and train them together for smooth, seamless and unified offensive against terrorists”.
The council said it was pulling out of any security cooperation with the Federal Government of Somalia, because of failure to implement agreed upon security measures. The CIC said it will also establish a Security Fund Account to cater for financing of the said forces.
The East African nation is divided into six proposed regional states: Puntland, Galmudug, Jubaland, South West State, Hirshabelle and Somaliland.