By Horn Africa News
HARAR-DHERE – Community defense fighters known as Ma’awisley in Harar-Dhere have expressed strong frustration over years of neglect, warning that they may abandon the frontlines against Al-Shabaab due to lack of support.
The fighters, who have been instrumental in keeping the strategic town of Harar-Dhere out of Al-Shabaab’s control, said they have received no tangible assistance from Somalia’s Federal Government despite repeated promises.
Elder Mohamed Shire Jimale told local media that the situation is worsening by the day.
“The government promised us military support, financial aid, and training, but all those pledges have remained empty words. The Ma’awisley are now on the verge of disbanding and withdrawing from the areas they are defending,” he said.
Ma’awisley forces in Galmudug have played a critical role in recent years, helping reclaim key towns from Al-Shabaab in a grassroots uprising. Their efforts have been widely praised as a major community-driven pushback against the militant group.
Repeated appeals have been made to the Federal Government to support and sustain these local fighters in order to consolidate the hard-won gains against Al-Shabaab. However, so far, no concrete steps have been taken to address their concerns.
