Somali Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre has asked religious scholars to collaborate with the federal government to raise public awareness of how clans impede the country’s government’s values.
Speaking at the conclusion of the religious scholar’s conference in Mogadishu on Thursday, the Prime Minister stated that the tribal level had reached a tipping point in defending those who should have been expelled from the country, such as thieves and the Al-Shabaab group.
“The tribe is important, but it is a problem in our country. We cannot imprison or punish thieves because their clan mates will defend them. The elders, the sheikhs, the parliamentarians and the ministers are coming out to defend the thieves who are apprehended, even if they are members of Al-Shabaab.”
“The people should support their government and country. We need our scholars to review these issues,” said Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre.
Prime Minister Hamza stated that combating the negative impacts of tribalism should be prioritized.
More than 300 Muslim religious clerics gathered in Somalia’s capital for a four-day conference and declared the formation of a Supreme Council.
They declared their support for the government’s war against the Islamist militant group al-Shabab and decreed that the insurgents were ‘Khawarij’ – or religious deviants.
The Somali government’s attempt to enlist the support of religious leaders is one of its most ambitious efforts in its war on terrorism and Islamist militant insurgency
