SOMALI PRESIDENT EXTENDS AMNESTY TO AL-SHABAB FIGHTERS
The president of Somalia says his country will again offer amnesty to al-Shabab fighters who denounce the terrorist organization and its ideology.
Speaking earlier this week in Mogadishu, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said the new amnesty would run from November 1 through December 31. He said he was extending the amnesty the extra 60 days “for the young, brainwashed men” to denounce al-Shabab.
The president asked parents to call on their boys to take advantage of the pardon.
During a first 45-day amnesty period, more than 700 fighters received amnesty. That period ended October 25.
The latest offer of amnesty comes as allied forces launch a nationwide offensive to eliminate al-Shabab from Africa’s longest coastline. The effort is named Operation Indian Ocean.
