Somalia: NISA takes Ex-Al-Shabaab deputy leader back to prison

Former Al-Shabaab leader Mukhtar Robow attends a news conference in Baidoa, Somalia November 4, 2018. [REUTERS/Feisal Omar/File Photo]

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA] operatives have taken former Al-Shabaab deputy leader Mukhtar Robow back to his house arrest, a week after they issued a report over his unprecedented detention in Mogadishu.

Robow, who denounced the violent ideology before being officially welcomed by outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, was taken to prison in December 2018 following his quest to run for Southwest presidency.

Reports indicate Robow was moved from house detention by NISA agents and taken back to prison but the government is yet to explain the reasons behind the latest move which comes at the time Somalia is embroiled in a political conflict.

For three years, Robow has been in detention without being given access to legal aid, further raising questions from his immediate family members. The government is also yet to present him to a court of law or institute formal charges against him.

Last week, Internal Security Minister Abdullahi Mohamed Nor wrote to NISA acting director Yasin Abdullahi Farey over Robow's detention and was later on provided with a detailed report. The report stated that Robow is still "dangerous to the public".

NISA further claimed Robow was given access to his family and friends throughout his detention, adding that the federal government of Somalia spends $7,000 monthly on him for his personal upkeep.

But in a quick rebuttal, his brother dismissed the claim, arguing that family members have not been able to access him since his arrest in 2018. Further, they insisted, Robow struggles in detention and does not have access to government facilitation.

While the government claims he was arrested over Al-Shabaab active links, a number of senior leaders led by former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud insist that he's a victim of political intolerance and state capture in the Horn of Africa nation.

After his arrest in 2018 days to Southwest elections, violent protests erupted in Baidoa, with government forces killing 11 people. Robow was intending to run against current Southwest President Abdiaziz Lafta-Gareen, a close ally of Farmaajo.

GAROWE ONLINE