Somalia
Somalia: Despite growing risks, Puntland elders travel for Mogadishu meeting
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May 4, 2012 - 7:34:10 PM

MOGADISHU, Somalia May 4 2012 (Garowe Online) - Braving growing insecurity, a delegation consisting of Puntland traditional elders left Garowe airport on Friday to Mogadishu, where Thursday night Al Shabaab insurgents shelled the presidential headquarters, Radio Garowe reports.

The Puntland traditional elders left Puntland capital of Garowe to attend a conference in Mogadishu, where 135 traditional elders from across Somalia will pick the 825 members of the National Constituent Assembly (NCA).

Puntland officials accompanied the elders to the airport where elders briefly spoke to media before departing. "We are leaving Garowe to attend the conference starting soon in Mogadishu and God willing we arrive there safely," said Suldan Saeed Mohamed Garase.

The capital of Somalia, Mogadishu, is going to host a major upcoming conference as elders will pick the members of NCA who will meet on May 15 to decide whether or not to adopt the constitution.

Mogadishu has been ravaged by civil war but last year's exodus by Al Shabaab the city became a hub of hope as the TFG-AMISOM battle against Al Shabaab looked like it victory was near for the government. However as of this year one of the most heavily secured areas was shelled for the fourth time according to Mogadishu media.

Mogadishu: Presidential palace under attack

The presidential palace was targeted by Al Shabaab on Thursday night. Residents around the palace reported shells hitting the presidential headquarters. There have been no confirmations on casualties as authorities have yet to make a statement about the shelling.

Risks of possible attacks in Mogadishu as it gets ready to host the May 15 conference, has forced the TFG to tighten security in the capital. On Friday the National Security Agency of Somalia announced that they had in custody a member of the terrorist organization Al Shabaab. NSA's Banadir Region Chief Khalif Ahmed Ereg announced at a press conference that the NSA killed a group of Al Shabaab agents who attacked an office the NSA had in Mogadishu's Hamar Jadid neighborhood. "The leader was killed and one Al Shabaab agent is in custody," said Mr. Ereg.

Insecurity in the capital has been overshadowed by the hotly debated constitution. Those blocking the political process or 'spoilers' were warned by the international community not to impede in the peace process in Somalia. 

IN IMAGES: Puntland Elders Delegation Travels to Mogadishu

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