Somalia: Police commander warns Baidoa residents against unauthorized rallies

BAIDOA, Somalia August 26, 2014 (Garowe Online)-Thought situation has returned to normalcy in Bay regional capital of Baidoa of southwestern Somalia, security officials are warning of the grim outcome of unauthorized rallies, Garowe Online reports.

Bay region police commander Col. Mahad Abdirahman Adan acknowledged that security agencies were not pre-notified of yesterday’s violent protests and warned Badioa residents against further demonstrations.

Col. Adan unveiled that they would confront further rallies and accused pro-six-region-state politicians of fomenting violence.

At least one person has been confirmed dead after angry crowds Monday staged protests in Baidoa in advance of purported visit by Somalia Federal Government Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed and United Nations envoy to Somalia Ambassador Nicholas Kay.

Baidoa, 256km northwest of Mogadishu has been a spot for opposing rallies and parallel regional conferences over the last few months.

On 3rd of March, a controversial election that crowned Madobe Nunow, former Member of Parliament and Information Minister faced tough opposition from Federal Government of Somalia and Jubaland administration.

Two flags have been raised above the buildings on the main roads in Baidoa as emblem for southwestern state of Somalia and political division continues to undermine inclusive federal state.

Nunow absorbed Gedo, Lower Jubba and Middle Jubba regions into southwest state map in a bid to breach Jubba agreement which was signed in Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa in August 2013 under the auspices of IGAD by Mogadishu-based Federal Government and Jubaland.

GAROWEONLINE