MOGADISHU, Somalia Oct 22 (Garowe Online) - The mayor of Somalia's capital has called on authorities to either bring inmates to court within 48 hours of their arrest or to free them.

Chairing a security meeting Monday, Mayor Mohamed "Dheere" Omar said it is unjust for prisoners to remain incarcerated for days or months without facing the legal system.

Mayor Dheere, who is also the governor of Banadir region, told the BBC Somali Service that his administration is simply following the country's provisional constitution.

Many Mogadishu residents welcomed Mayor Dheere's change of tone with regard to those jailed over the last 10 months, beginning in January when Ethiopian troops helped install the interim government in Mogadishu.

Somali troops loyal to President Abdullahi Yusuf left their barracks at the presidential palace Villa Somalia today and were seen surrounding the neighborhood where the Central Jail is located, residents said.

African Union peacekeepers from Uganda, backed by tanks and armored trucks, closed off main roads leading to the jail. Ugandan military officers went inside the jail today but it was not immediately clear why the AU commanders visited the jail.

Source: Garowe Online