Monday December 28, 2020
BELEDWEYNE (HOL) - Elders in Beletweyne have decried silence and lack of action from government leaders following unrest in the town that has resulted in casualties and arrests.
Elmi Hagar Gure, one of the elders who spoke to the media said he was shocked to discover that government officials responsible for security were ‘all sleep’ by afternoon when demonstrations rocked the town.
“We went to look for the Minister for Interior but we were told he was asleep. We proceeded to the Vice President’s place and to the governor’s office but we were told they were all asleep,” said Gure.
Ethiopian and Djibouti Forces under Amisom alongside Somali security personnel dispersed demonstrators sparking protests against the AU forces over ‘involvement in local politics.’
Gure said many people who were arrested could not be located in police stations raising fears about where they may have been taken to.
Four people were injured during the protests Sunday.
Federal Interior Minister Mukhtar Hussein Afrah has been in Beletweyne for about a month now but there was no word from him regarding the developments.
Demonstrations have persisted in recent weeks in Hiiraan region against the new HirShabelle State President Ali Guudlawe.
People in the region have accused the Federal Government of imposing a new leader on them violating a clan power sharing agreement.