Women, Peace & Security
Source: Garowe Online
Women from the 17 districts of Mogadishu have staged anti-Al Shabaab protest in Mogadishu in support of lasting peace and tranquility across the war-ravaged nation on Sunday, Garowe Online reports.
Federal Government of Somalia's Ministry of Women and the National Union of Somali Women organized the rally against Al Shabaab terror attacks a day after the militant group carried out a daylight deadly assault inside Villa Somalia presidential compound.
Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed, Women and Family Affairs Minister Khadija Mohamed Dirie and Deputy Parliament Speaker Jaylani Nur Ikar joined the participants at the rally.
Speaking at Mogadishu's peace square where angry crowds hoisting banners that read: "Al Shabaab conspiracy has ended," amongst others gathered, Prime Minister Mohamed pointed accusing fingers at Al Shabaab, saying that the terrorists are shedding the blood of innocent people.
"You have revealed courage and how you are ready to defend the terror carnivorous animals who want to turn off the peace light from yourselves," declared Mohamed, adding that Somalia Federal Government would stand by the Somali people in their struggle of restoring the governance.
"Somali women were always at the forefront, you are today required to take a leading role in promoting peace and great change in the capital and in the country at large," he said.
In an effort to deter Al Shabaab threats, Prime Minister Mohamed Saturday night chaired a cabinet meet at the presidential palace, discussing new security plans and the way forward for Somali government forces.
A ministerial committee that will launch investigations into the deadly attack on Villa Somalia was announced.
Hundreds of Al Shabaab fighters are believed to have infiltrated Mogadishu's Huriwaa district where AMISOM and somali government troops frequently clash with militants from the Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab group.