Somalia: President Hassan in Baidoa for three-region state formation

BAIDOA, Somalia Oct 28, 2014 (Garowe Online) –Despite violent protest against three-region state administration, Federal Government of Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has arrived in Bay regional capital of Baidoa of southwestern Somalia under tight security on Tuesday, Garowe Online reports.

Parliament Speaker Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari, MPs and traditional leaders received President Mohamud’s delegation at Baidoa airport airport where he inspected guard of honor by division from Somali National Army.

Al though, angry crowds loyal to the six-region federal state staged anti-President Hassan rally in the downtown, UN envoy to Somalia Ambassador Nicholas Kay and cabinet members were part of Mohamud’s entourage.

Protesters took to the streets in Baidoa to show off their support to the politicians lobbying for the formation of an autonomous state consisting of Bay, Bakool, Lower Shabele, Gedo, Middle Juba and Lower Jubba regions.

Southwest state presidential claimant Madobe Nunow Mohamed has condemned security forces for torturing and subjecting death threats to peaceful rally participant while holding press briefing in Baidoa later today.

“We consider the crackdown on peaceful protesters as an attack on six-region state administration. The members of the public decided to express their feelings to the world but national army opened fire on peaceful rally,” said Mohamed, adding that some of his supporters were wounded, others tortured and government forces disarmed his security escorts at ADC conference hall.

378 delegates who have been gathering for the formation of three-region state are expected to draft constitution, and proceed to the election of new President as well as his deputies over the coming days.

GAROWE ONLINE