TheCable

The government of Somalia has extended an amnesty offer to al-Shabab militants, an extremist group that has masterminded series of bombings and assassinations in Somalia and neighbouring African countries.

In a statement released by the government on Wednesday, the militants were given a grace of 45 days to lay down their arms in order to be reintegrated into the society.

“The government will create a better livelihood to build the future for those who meet the deadline,” said Khalif Ahmed Ereg, the country’s security minister.

Al-shabab has captured several territories in Somalia, forcing the African Union and the United States to send troops to assist Somalia in checking the activities of the group.

On Monday, the United States launched an airstrike on the convoy of Ahmed Abdi Godane, leader of the group, and as at the time of filing this  report, it was unclear whether Godane survived the attack.

Al-Shabab is believed to have thousands of fighters in its ranks agitating to impose Sharia law on Somalia.