Waagacusub.net - The operation of the UAE into Somalia has taken a new turn when the wealthy gulf country, desperately seeking to influence Somalis over the gulf crisis, came up with new strategy, by using Somali media to mount pressure on the Somali government and its main ally Turkey.

It was last month when Somali president visited Abu Dhabi for what is believed to be UAE-led initiative to persuade the Somali government to sideline with them and get rid of Turkish-Qatari alliance. Somali President apparently snubbed to alter Somalia’s neutral position on Gulf crisis after UAE failed with their previous plan which was to induce leaders of Somalia’s federal members states through financial gains.

Sources close to Villa Somalia confirmed that Somali government insists on its neutrality in the conflict, but UAE came up new, sinister idea - to use part of the media to discredit Turkey and Qatar and their operations in Somalia.

Apart from those sources, Waagacusub has learnt from other credible and multiple sources that the owner of Radio Dalsan Mr Mohamed Ajiib, has traveled to Abu dhabi at least four times, in the months of September and October 2017.

As a result of these visits, Dalsan radio implemented two strategies.  First one is to launch campaign mainly to discredit the development and humanitarian work of Turkey and Qatar in Somalia.  They criticize a lot in the pretext of investigative journalism reports.  Areas they scrutinize is the newly opened training academy in Mogadishu that Turkey has built, Qatar’s development aid to Somalia.

The second strategy is to finance existing radio Dalsan station in Mogadishu and open new sub-stations in some regions of the country who can propagate their message – dishonor Turkey and Qatar development and humanitarian projects. UAE gave $150 thousand to set up local sub-stations in Kismayu, Baydhabo, Beledweyn, Cadaado and Jowhar towns, and paid more than $180 thousand for Mogadishu operations.  

They have, on many occasions, quoted unnamed government sources in order to create tension which can result for the Somali government to compromise its neutrality on one hand, and damage the relationship between Somalia and Turkey on the other.

This strategy, which is employed by the owner of Radio Dalsan Mr Mohamed Ajiib is at advanced stages, and group of social media users have been hired in order to amplify the propaganda messages against Turkey and Qatar. A group of Social media users are paid $500 a month per person to push this campaign.

"It is a new method which can be as dangerous as weapon, should the Somali government is not careful with the individuals who work for Mr Ajiib and his friends within the system” a former diplomat/politician told Waagacusub.