Troops sent to Beledweyne to help election rigging for Farmajo

The deployment has further fueled the tension, with residents fearing possible clashes between the troops and the armed clan militia controlling parts of the city which is prone to a conflict.

News Keydmedia Online
26 January 2022

BELEDWEYNE, Somalia – Three planes carrying at least 200 soldiers landed at Ugas Khalif airport in Beledweyne amid reports of rising tension over HirShabelle leader’s visit to the city.

The troops from the Turkish-trained Gorgor brigade of the military and the special police unit [Haram’ad] were sent from Mogadishu on Wednesday to facilitate election rigging for Farmajo.

The deployment further fueled the tension, with residents fearing possible clashes between the troops and the armed clan militia controlling parts of the city which is prone to a conflict.

Sources told Keydmedia’s English that the PM's Office is unaware of the troop deployment to Beledweyne, where an election for 25 Lower House seats is expected to be held next month.

Farmajo's right-hand man, Fahad Yasin who is currently serving as his Nat'l security advisor is planning to go to Beledweyne to run for a seat in the parliament during the next election. 

The outgoing president Farmajo and PM Roble are embroiled in a power struggle battle, with the two sides' differences having a major impact on the elections and the country's security.

Somalia is one year behind its election schedule due to recurring disputes, which discouraged the public and the international partners who provide financial support for the state-building.

Farmajo has stayed one more year in office illegally after his four-year term ended in Feb 2021. He made coup attempts twice last year that deepened the crisis in the Horn of Africa nation.

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KEYDMEDIA English