By M.A. Egge
The first batch of nationalization of the civil forces in El-Afweyn district has been done and an event held on the issue witnessed many local civilian forces being absorbed into the National Armed forces.
To witness the function were several cabinet ministers and senior government officials who were in attendance.
They included the minister of Defense and that of Transport and Roads, the Deputy Minister of Investment, and that of Resettlement.
Of course present, too, was the chief of defense staff, who the militiamen and their armaments were handed over to.
The event saw the Deputy Minister of Investment Hon. Mohamed Elmi Huno, who addressed the event at length.
He reminded the audience that the forces being absorbed to the national army would now be bona-fide national servicemen and declared the first batch of the El-Afweyne group with their armaments as having fully been affiliated.
The Deputy Minister underscored the fact that they will not leave the district until the last vehicle or civilian force is absorbed into the national forces.
He similarly pointed out that all concerned in the efforts will have their accomplishments noted.
The deputy minister likewise revealed that the ongoing assembly of pacification efforts going on in El-Afweyne, whose aim is to fully address and totally end the decade-old sporadic skirmishes between two related clans in the areas, was going on very well and is expected to end soon.
He made it clear that the illegal carrying of firearms publicly in the town would no longer be tolerated at all.
In conclusion, other officials who attended the forum also made brief statements about the Civilian Forces Nationalization Efforts and stated that the time has come for the civilian forces to become part of the national army, in line with the pledges made by the President earlier during the campaigns period.