A Message from the President of the Federal Government of Somalia
"In fact, both Da’esh or al-Qa’ida are destroyers. They both focus on carnage and death and are indiscriminate in their victims: executing fellow Muslims who disagree with their methods and executions of followers of other religions alike. They both repress free speech and deny basic human rights, such as the right to education for boys and girls, and women’s rights. They are committed above all else to destruction- destruction of people, families and our country. They are committed to this for no higher reason than to destroy, and so the name ‘Da-esh’ is doubly appropriate.
"The key to the appeal of terrorist ideology is its binary simplicity in terms of right and wrong, good and bad, us and them. They say they are fighting a war to establish a holy caliphate, but there is nothing holy about their methods or their purpose.
"Do not think that your choice is limited to one of two puppet-masters, al-Qa’ida or Da’esh. There is another option- the right and holy option: the path to peace.
"This falling out amongst al-Shabaab is symptomatic of a group that has lost its way, its ideology and is clinging to an option of last resort. We do not need a new brand of horror and repression in Somalia. Somalia has had enough of any brand of terrorist.
"As we have said before, and as I will keep saying until there are no more of you left to say it to, if you feel you are within the grip of these terrorists and you want another option, stretch out your hands to the government. Reach out to us by any means. You will find a willing ear and a helping hand. The government will guarantee your safety. Our only condition is that you reject al-Shabaab and its doctrine of violence, and that you pledge to follow the path of peaceful resolution to conflict. You will not be alone. Hundreds have chosen this path. Hundreds have chosen peace and a future: learning new skills, earning an honest livelihood and participating in rebuilding Somalia.
"On behalf of the Federal Government of Somalia, I urge you to choose this way, the path of peace.”
--ENDS—
Daud Aweis
Spokesperson
Office of the President
Federal Republic of Somalia
Email: daweis@presidency.gov.so
www.somalia.gov.so
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A Message from the President of the Federal Government of Somalia
to members of al-Shabaab: "Your options are not limited to choosing between different brands of terrorism. There is another way." Mogadishu, 28 October 2015: The President of Somalia, HE Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, today issued a message to