Jubaland orders for closure of mosques as Somalia sees jump in COVID-19 cases

KISMAYO, Somalia - Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe on Friday ordered for closure of all mosques in the state, a move which he insisted was "necessary" amid escalating cases of Coronavirus pandemic, which threatens millions of residents.

While meeting Imams of Friday, the Jubaland leader said the decision wasn't meant to curtail "freedom of worship" rather, "to save hundreds from the dangerous disease" which could be the next "major" nightmare for Somalia.

All residents, Madobe said, should adhere strictly with directives issued by the ministry of health, both at the regional and national level, adding that "this requires honest" cooperation from the people.

"It's a global pandemic and nobody is safe. As a government, we're determined to ensure that all residents are properly prepared to tackle this," he said. "We must cooperate with authorities if at all we're ready to defeat it".

The closure of mosques amid the ongoing Holy month of Ramadhan means many pilgrims will not get a chance to convene at required sites for prayers especially on Friday and at the evening.

It's the major decision to be taken by Jubaland administration ever since Somalia announced the first COVID-19 case in April, and could pave way for imposition on strict measures in a bid to combat the pandemic.

"We must be accustomed to such unprecedented actions because it's important for the region. We shouldn't risk the lives of people especially when we have an opportunity to shield them," he added.

The closure also comes after the semi-autonomous state announced 52 positive cases, the highest after Banadir [986], Puntland [130], and secessionist Somaliland which had recorded at least 68 cares and six deaths of Coronavirus.

At the national level, Somalia has recorded 1,377 cases of COVID-19, the highest within the Horn of Africa region after Djibouti, which registered a total of 1,309 cases as of Friday. Banadir region where the capital, Mogadishu is located, is the worst hit.

The country's health ministry has confirmed 55 deaths from the deadly Virus since April 2020.

To curb the spread, the federal government has among others, suspended domestic and international flights, learning activities, and mass gatherings across the country. Also, movements within Mogadishu has been restricted.

But early this week, Jubaland Vice President Mohamud Sayid Aden, claimed the federal government had blocked a plane carrying medical supplies to Kismayo from leaving Aden Adde International Airport, but the government is yet to respond to the claims.

Also, the supply of medical consignments across Somalia remains risky following the recent downing of a Kenyan plane in the Southwest state. Ethiopian troops have since claimed that they mistook it for "Al-Shabaab impending attack" within Bardale.

Elsewhere just across the border, Kenya ordered the cessation of movement along the Somalia border, which is expected to last for the next 30 days. Jubaland state borders Kenya to the west and plays as a buffer zone in the fight against Al-Shabaab.

In a live broadcast on Saturday, President Uhuru Kenyatta said "we shall only allow movement of cargo across the Somalia border. Those drivers on transit will be subjected to mandatory testing before cross over".

This is the first international measure, applied jointly with that of restricting movements across Tanzania border as Kenya registered 791 cases of the COVID-19. Of these cases, 284 have since recovered while 45 have since died, just seven fewer than those of Somalia.

Last week, leaders from Wajir and Mandera, which have registered the highest cases after those of Nairobi and Mombasa, called for the closure of the Kenya-Somalia border, after it emerged that people were crossing over for evening prayers due to dusk-to-dawn curfew that has been ongoing for the last one month.

Governor Ali Roba of Mandera has also banned cross-county movements after the region registered over 10 cases. The government has since established a laboratory in Wajir which is now being used as a center for testing in northeastern Kenya.

GAROWE ONLINE