A top Al-Shabaab leader has reportedly surrendered himself to the Somali National Army (SNA).
Bishar Mumin Afrah surrendered at Hiran in Central Somalia as reported by Somali National News Agency (Sonna).
SNA commander Ahmed Mohamed Tredishe said the Shabaab official surrendered to the 52th Division of the SNA in Buloburte town, 200km north of Mogadishu.
“Afrah deserted Al-Shabaab and surrendered to SNA, carrying with him two AK47 assault rifles and large amounts of ammunition,” said Gen Tredishe.
This comes after Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo announced pardon to any Al-Shabaab follower who renounces the jihadist ideology. The president announced in February that his government will demobilize and reintegrate those who come forward and into the society.
The Shabaab leadership had not reacted to the claims at the time of this report by Daily Nation.