Escalating crime pushes Beledweyne locals to form civilian security force

Residents in Beledweyne, frustrated by a surge in violent crime and escalating political tensions between rival administrations, have formed civilian security forces to protect their neighbourhoods, highlighting the growing insecurity in the capital of the Hiiraan region.

Insecurity in Beledweyne has been on the rise in recent months, with increasing incidents of robberies and killings. The instability is partly attributed to the ongoing power struggle between Hiiraan State and Hirshabelle, two rival administrations vying for control of the region. This political turmoil has created a security vacuum that criminals have exploited, leaving residents to take matters into their own hands.

The tipping point for many residents was the murder of Madeer Ibrahim Hassan, a young businessman, on August 12, 2024. Hassan was shot and killed inside his shop in the Howlwadaag neighbourhood by three armed men who robbed his store and fled the scene. Despite the rapid response by local security forces, the assailants remain at large, underscoring the challenges faced by official authorities in maintaining law and order.

Just two nights earlier, Abdisahal Shurie Hussein, the Deputy Administrator of Beledweyne for Administration and Finance, was ambushed by armed robbers as he was walking home with a friend.

In response to the murders, residents of the Kooshin and Hawo Tako neighbourhoods have organized civilian patrols, primarily composed of local youth, to deter armed criminals. These groups patrol the streets at night, aiming to protect their communities where official security measures have fallen short.

“We are not government soldiers; we are ordinary citizens who have taken up arms,” said Dahir Osman Guled, a youth leader in Kooshin. “We check anyone unfamiliar entering our neighbourhood. On several nights, we encountered thieves and successfully drove them out. Alhamdulillah, the thieves usually come alone or in pairs, but we are a group of at least 10.”

The formation of these civilian security forces has been widely welcomed by residents, who have long felt abandoned by the official security apparatus. The initiative has already led to a noticeable improvement in safety in the affected neighborhoods, providing a sense of relief to many who feared for their lives and property.