On Sunday, Southwest State Security Minister, Mr. Hassan Abdikadir Mohamed, announced that the regional Attorney General will request the Somali Federal Government to relieve Minister of Livestock, Forestry and Rangeland, Mr. Hassan Hussein Mohamed (known as Hassan Elay), of his duties due to his involvement in recent armed clashes in Baidoa on Wednesday and Thursday. The Southwest State authority suspects that Minister Elay’s residence in Baidoa was used to carry out acts of insecurity in the town. The residence was located in an area where soldiers and officers, who were members of the Somali National Army (SNA) and loyal to Abdirahman Mohamed Nishow, set up defense positions to counter the attack launched by Southwest State Security forces. On Thursday, Southwest State security forces took over the residence of Minister Elay, although it is unclear if the house was looted. The Southwest State Security Minister stated that the regional Attorney General has launched an investigation into Minister Elay’s involvement in the armed skirmishes and will demand that the Somali Federal Government relieve him of his duties. The Minister also stated that they will request the Speaker of the Somali Federal Parliament to strip Elay of his immunity as a member of parliament, in order for him to be prosecuted. Minister Elay is a prominent figure from Southwest State and has close ties with Somali President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The Security Minister also mentioned that the Attorney General will appeal to expel Elay from the government, making it easier to prosecute him for any casualties or destruction caused by the fighting. However, it is unclear how Southwest State will convince the Somali Federal Government to assist in the prosecution of Elay, as he is a member of parliament. If Elay is stripped of his ministerial portfolio, he will remain as an MP with immunity, which can only be removed through a vote of the parliament or by breaking the law and violating parliamentary bylaws.
