Former al-Shabab figure appointed minister in Somalia’s new cabinet

Mortar shells have struck residential neighborhoods near the presidential palace in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, shortly after Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre unveiled his new cabinet with the former deputy leader of al-Shabab militant group.

“We have no recorded casualties so far as investigations are ongoing," said district security official Mohamed Abdifatah on Sunday.

Abdikadir Yare, a witness, said, "One of the mortar rounds struck in the Xararyaale intersection and another hit a hospital close by.”

The prime minister appointed Mukhtar Robow as minister of endowment and religious affairs. The appointment was just one day after Robow was released from the headquarters of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA). It has attracted some criticism.

Some analysts say the appointment was an apparent attempt and a milestone in the fight against al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda-linked group formed in 2007.

“After consultations that took a period of more than 30 days... I'm very happy to present Somali men and women whom I have selected based on their academic background, experience, and fairness," argued the Somalian prime minister. "I'm expecting they will respond to the needs of the country." the district official said. 

Zakaria Yusuf, a researcher on Somalia at the American think tank International Crisis Group, told Al Jazeera, “I think the reason why he was brought from house arrest to the cabinet minister is to create and come up with a counter-narrative to that of al-Shabab since he deeply understands their philosophy and their tactics”

“He may also have influence within the militant group and could attract more fighters from the group [to the government’s way of thinking.] I believe he can successfully run this docket given his background and experience in endowment affairs.”

Elected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has implicitly expressed his administration’s willingness to negotiate with al-Shabab.

Robow will likely attempt to implement Mohamud’s policy of war against al-Shabab on economic, ideological, and military fronts. Some believe this will put him in confrontation with his former colleagues.

Before the creation of al-Shabab, Robow, also known as Abu Mansur, was trained with al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. He then went on to serve as al-Shabab’s official spokesman and later as the group’s deputy leader. In 2008, the United States designated al-Shabab a terrorist group and offered a $5-million reward for information leading to Robow’s capture in 2012.

Al-Shabab has been engaged in a bloody war against Somalia's fragile central government for 15 years. It remains a potent force despite an African Union operation against the group.

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