Somali minister warns regional president for backing Ethiopian troops

Somalia's Minister of Defence Abdulkadir Mohamed Noor has cautioned the president of the South West state, Abdiaziz Laftagareen over support for the deployment of Ethiopian troops into the country.

In a statement, the minister said the people of South West state will never be subjected to the authority of a ‘historical enemy’.

“I specifically address my people from the regions of Bay, Bakool, and Lower Shabelle. It will never happen that we are subjected to a historical enemy that our ancestors rejected from invading our land and colonizing our people," Abdulkadir said.

His remarks followed comments by the South West state president, praising Members of Parliament who voiced support for his people in their opposition to the removal of Ethiopian forces from the region and the potential deployment of Egyptian troops.

Laftagareen in his speech, equated the 25 MPs who supported the people of South West State with the heroes of the Somali Youth League (SYL)

“The MPs who supported the will of their people are akin to the 13 SYL.”

The SYL was the first political party in Somalia. It played a key role in the nation's road to independence during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.

The defence minister stressed the crucial responsibility that Somali leaders have towards future generations, to ensure the legacy of a united, free Somalia with secure resources.

“While any other oversight may be forgiven, our duty is to fully and cleanly uphold the trust that our ancestors placed in us. No one has the right to misuse the principles of independence, unity, and the interests of the Somali nation," he said.

Abdulkadir insisted that while Laftagareen may have equated them to the SYL, the outfit remains a symbol of the Somali nation's existence.

He reminded the MPs from South West State of the honour associated with the offices they hold.

“The symbol of SYL represents independence, resistance to oppression, and a historical honour that must be protected. I urge the MPs and politicians from South West state to recognise that the seats they occupy carry a respected history that must be safeguarded,” Abdulkadir said.

This comes even as the Federal Government of Somalia continues to seek the withdrawal of all Ethiopian troops from its territory.

The two countries have been at loggerheads since Ethiopia signed an MoU with breakaway region Somaliland to lease their port for 50 years.  

Somalia insists Somaliland is part of its territory and that the agreement is illegal.