ROBOW’S ARREST: Polls committee was to announce further delay

Mukhtar Robow, who is contesting for the presidency in South West state was arrested as he made way to the presidential palace in Baidoa where the electoral committee was to announce a new poll date, Goobjoog News has learnt.

Goobjoog News correspondent in the town who escaped unscathed as an exchange of fire between Ethiopian forces backed by Somali federal police and Robow’s militia ensued said presidential candidates had been called by the elections committee to announce a delay of the presidential elections.

“The electoral committee had called candidates to the presidential villa to announce a new election date and as Robow’s vehicle reached the entrance, Ethiopian forces moved in and arrested him,” our correspondent says.

Heavy fighting broke out as civilians scampered for safety and business stopped in the city. Fighting is still ongoing as telecommunication network has also been cut off.

The circumstances surrounding Robow’s arrest remain unclear but is likely to cause more instability in the city.  The arrest could also deteriorate relations between the local community and Ethiopian forces which have had a chequered history in Somalia.

The Federal Government has opposed Robow’s candidature citing U.S sanctions which were imposed on him in 2008. However, the state election committee has since cleared him for the race.

The polls were scheduled for December 19 after being postponed three times.