Opposition leaders camp at demos venue as gov’t upholds ban
Storyline:National News
GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Opposition presidential candidates among them former presidents have camped near the venue of Friday demonstrations in Mogadishu to ostensibly circumvent a government move banning protests in the city.
Goobjoog News has learnt that former Presidents Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his predecessor Sharif Sheikh Ahmed are booked at Nasa-hablod II hotel in Hamarweynr district. The hotel is near Daljirka Dahsoon monument which is the launching pad of the demonstrations.
The Federal Government announced Wednesday a ban on all protests following a call for demonstrations last week by the Council of Presidential Candidates (CPC). The Council comprises of 14 presidential candidates.
Similar demonstrations in November were held by the opposition in various parts of the city. A clash with security forces led to injuries of civilians.
The US has issued an alert over the demos warning its citizens to avoid the area.
“Given the risk of violent crime and civil unrest, U.S. citizens should avoid these demonstrations and any demonstration-related activities,” a statement from the US embassy in Mogadishu read in part.
Meanwhile outgoing President Mohamed Farmaajo is meeting today with Federal Member States president in Mogadishu today to finalize the elections deal following an agreement reached by a joint technical team in Baidoa Tuesday.