A senior Al-Shabaab commander, disillusioned by growing internal conflicts within the militant group, has surrendered to Somali government forces, joining a rising number of fighters abandoning Al-Shabaab in recent months. The defection of Qaasim Ahmed Duhul, who operated under the alias Suulal Ceyn, is seen as driven by the government’s amnesty and reintegration programs.
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Duhul, who spent eight years with Al-Shabaab, turned himself in to the 28th battalion of the 21st division, facilitated by clan officials in the Masagawaa area. Following his surrender, Duhul revealed to the media that internal problems within Al-Shabaab had become intolerable, pushing him to leave. “The problems inside Al-Shabaab became unbearable, which led me to leave,” Duhul said.
During his time with Al-Shabaab, Duhul participated in several battles across Somalia, but frustration with the group’s internal strife ultimately prompted his defection. His surrender was part of an effort by the Somali government to encourage defections through a combination of amnesty offers and rehabilitation programs aimed at reintegrating former fighters into society.
The government’s intensified approach has led to a surge in defections, with fighters like Duhul entering rehabilitation centers where they receive counselling and vocational training. The effectiveness of the government’s amnesty programs has also been praised, with an increasing number of militants choosing to take advantage of the opportunity to escape Al-Shabaab’s ranks.
Military officials credit the government’s amnesty program for its success in reducing Al-Shabaab’s hold in key regions. “We are seeing more and more defections because of these initiatives,” a senior military officer said.
