MOGADISHU, Somalia – Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, has once again witnessed an increased presence of troops on Wednesday night is the latest sign of a possible breakdown of the opposition.
Turkish-trained Haram’ad police with armored vehicles have been deployed on the streets at several major intersections, following the immediate former Mogadishu police chief Braiger General Sadik John protected by dozens of soldiers moved from the airport facility to the Circolo Ufficiale area.
The unusual army movement has created tension in the city as residents feared fresh clashes between Sadak John’s security guards and government forces in the midst of a political crisis in the country.
Outgoing Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has fired Sadak John on Monday, stripping former Mogadishu police chief of all ranks and interrupting his benefits after trying to suspend the lower house session on April 12.
In a video address, the dismissed police chief ordered MPs to return to their constituencies and seek re-election, as their mandate already expired in December last year, while urging political leaders to return to Afisyini and end their disagreements through dialogue.
His call, which was welcomed by opposition candidates in Mogadishu, has irritated Villa Somalia and was immediately relieved of its post. His dismissal came hours before the House of Commons has illegally extended Farmajo’s term by two years.
AXADLETM
