afrol News, 21 June - In its bid to bring peace in the country, Somalia’s transitional government deemed it fitting to grant amnesty to its opposition fighters, the government announced.

For several months, the Somali government has been involved in sporadic gun battles with opposition fighters, resulting to several deaths. The core of the opposition fighters hailed from the Hawiye clan.

Mogadishu, the capital has been the battle field for the bloody clashes, much to the worry of the government and Somalis.

Somalia’s transitional President, Abdullahi Yusuf, decreed a law that legalises amnesty for anti-government elements. And under the new decree, the Somali government will release anti-government elements held in both Somali and Ethiopian jails.

According to Somalia’s Justice Minister, Hassan Dhimli, the government’s gesture is meant to consolidate national reconciliation in a country that had been at the centre of troubles since 1991.

However, the amnesty does not cover all the elements: it excludes those accused of international terrorism crimes.

The move came on the heels of an accord reached by the government and the Hawiye clan in recent times. The accord urged the warring factions to end violence and return the country to lasting peace.

Somalis are expected to further consolidate peace in a national reconciliation conference scheduled for 16 July in Mogadishu.

The government’s gesture has been received with great applause from the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General and Hawiye clan.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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