Somali authorities say a former al-Shabab spokesman has been disqualified from contesting in this week’s regional elections. Mukhtar Robow was arrested last Thursday in the town of Baidoa and is accused by Somalia’s federal government of illegally bringing in weapons and militants.
The former Islamist militant had cleared all but the final required stage, which was a proposal pitch his candidacy to the state assembly on Sunday. His arrest three days earlier led to a weekend of fury. At least 11 people were killed in violent clashes between his supporters and security forces in the town of Baidoa.
In Somalia’s capital city Mogadishu, the country’s Minister for Public Works Abdifitah Ibrahim also protested against the arrest by resigning from his post. Witnesses said Ethiopian troops carried out Mr Robow’s arrest on Thursday but there has been no confirmation from the Ethiopian contingent in Somalia.
The African Union mission in the country denied any involvement in the incident.
