Somali authorities say a former al-Shabaab deputy leader has been disqualified from running for office in the regional elections later this week.
Mukhtar Robow – who also served as al-Shabaab’s official spokesman – was arrested on Thursday in the town of Baidoa. He is accused of illegally bringing in weapons and militants.
The former militant had cleared all but the final required stage, which was a proposal pitch of his candidacy to the state assembly on Sunday.
His arrest sparked clashes between his loyalists and security forces, leaving at least 11 dead.
In Somalia’s capital city Mogadishu, the country’s Minister for Public Works Abdifitah Ibrahim also protested against the arrest by resigning from his post.
Witnesses said Ethiopian troops carried out Mr Robow’s arrest on Thursday but there has been no confirmation from the Ethiopian contingent in Somalia.
The African Union mission in the country denied any involvement in the incident.
