Former Somali ambassador denied access to Baladweyn

Former Somali ambassador to Kenya Mohamed Ali Americo was yesterday denied access to Baladweyn town by authorities in Hiiraan.

Americo who had been on a tour of different parts of the country was locked out of the town though authorities did not give any reasons for the move.

Speaking to Goobjoog News on phone, Americo said he did not know why the authorities there denied him access to the town yet there had not been any restrictions announced before.

“I was informed not to enter Baladweyn without any valid reason. No one explained to me why I could not be allowed to visit the town,” said Americo.

Since ending his term as Somalia’s envoy to Kenya, Americo has been on a tour of several parts of the country including Garowe, Kismayo, Adado, Galka’ayo, Baidoa and Mataban towns on what he called a  Peace Trip.

He has on a number of occasions been touted as possible presidential  contender in the 2016 polls.