The Somali Federal Gov’t on Tuesday has detained elders from Gedo region after they held a Press Conference in Garbahaaray district. They have strongly opposed the establishment of new Jubaland administration that the Somali Federal Gov’t is intending to set up in Gedo region.
The elders are currently in police detention in Garbahaaray district and were arrested while staying in the heart of the town, and were having tea at teashop. Reports say that the security forces beat the elders right away without asking questions, and later were taken to the central police station where they are held in captivity.
Reports further say that some of the elders have preexisting conditions like severe diabetes and blood pressure. Some of them are faced with health related problems and are demanding medical emergency. Sources told Shabelle TV that the order to arrest the elders was authorized from Mogadishu.
The Minister of Internal Security, Abdilahi Sheikh Ismail Fartag has ordered the security agencies in Garbahaaray district to frog march the elders and put them behind bars.
Garbahaaray district authority refused to give details of the arrest of the elders which caused anger among the public and the authority in Garbahaaray town, the provincial capital of Gedo region. On the other hand, Jubaland administration which issued a press statement on the arrest of the elders in Gedo region said that the apprehension of the elders is illegal.
Jubaland further stated that Somalia is intending to dismantle the authority that exist in Jubaland settlements. Jubaland added that it is not possible to let Somalia create problems within the populace that live in Jubaland particularly in Gedo region.
The Somali Federal Gov’t has not spoken of the arrest of the elders but officers of the Somali National Army (SNA) said previously that Jubaland does not control Gedo region and reiterated that entire Gedo province is under the administration of Somali Federal Gov’t.
The Commander of the Somali National Army (SNA) in Bardheere district authorized an order that those who support Jubaland will be put under police detention. The Somali Federal Gov’t intends to deploy additional troops to Gedo region while its preoccupied to set up an administration that opposes Ahmed Madobe.