By Olaleke ASHAFA
The top African Union (AU) envoy in Somalia on Saturday appealed for restraint on the current political standoff in South West State following arrest of former al-Shabab deputy leader ahead of regional polls.
Francisco Madeira, special representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission for Somalia and head of the AU peacekeeping mission known as African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), also clarified that the AU mission had no part in the arrest of former al-Shabab-deputy leader Mukhtar Robow.
“I wish to call upon all parties to exercise the utmost restraint in resolving the issues related to the current situation in the country and the upcoming elections in the South West State of Somalia,” Madeira said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.
“AMISOM will continue to execute its mandate in close cooperation with the people and the government of Somalia, with maximum respect for their laws, their culture and their values,” he added.
Robow was arrested and handed over to the Somali National Security Intelligence Agency (NISA) on Thursday after being flown from Baidoa, about 270 km outside capital, Mogadishu.
There have been mixed statements on his exact location before the detention and his supporters who held violent demonstrations in Baidoa town accused Ethiopian forces for his arrest.
Robow was one of the candidates vying for presidency in Somalia’s South West regional elections scheduled for Dec. 19.
The Somali government has called detention a legal process which was undertaken because Robow allegedly violated the terms of his freedom by supplying arms and mobilizing militias in Baidoa to support his election campaign.
The government accuses him of smuggling arms and mobilizing his supporters to threaten national security.
Madeira said he has been following closely the events in South West State of Somalia that culminated in the arrest of Robow.
“We are saddened by the loss of lives in Baidoa and send our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the quick recovery of those who sustained injuries,” Madeira said.
He said the AU mission will continue to recognise and respect the sovereignty of the people and the government of Somalia and reiterated its resolve to remain impartial in the implementation of its mandate in the country.
