Turkish interference costing Somalia dearly

Turkey works to isolate
Somalia from its regional and international surroundings.
This comes as this Arab
and African country suffers a political crisis after the end of the
presidential term of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo earlier this month.
Somalia prepared to hold
its first direct elections since the civil war of 1991. However, these
preparations stumbled because of the attacks of al-Shabaab movement. These
attacks have forced the authorities to think of holding an indirect vote.
Somali tribal chieftains
should have elected the members of the parliament in December. Then MPs would
have then elected the president on 8 February. Nevertheless, this plan came
short of becoming a reality after the Somali opposition accused President
Farmaajo of filling the parliament with his allies.
Farmaajo procrastinating
Angry Somalis staged
protests on 19 February in Somali capital Mogadishu. However, a police unit
that received its training in Turkey had dispersed the protesters with force.
This opened the door for
an exchange of fire between the opposition and the police. The demonstrators
accused police of attacking and killing some of them.
This is bringing the atmosphere of civil war back to Somalia. It also paves the way for security unrest that can serve the best interests of al-Shabaab movement only.
The police unit, known
as Gergour, received training at the Turkish military base in Somalia. It is
made up of between 4,500 and 5,000 members. The force receives its arms and
ammunitions from Turkey. Its members are deployed in Mogadishu, along with some
other Somali cities.
Concern
The Somali opposition
has expressed concern over Turkish interference in Somali affairs. This
interference is manifest in arms and ammunitions supplies to Somali police.
This police uses the same arms and ammunitions to crack down on peaceful
assemblies and the opposition.