Mogadishu (HOL) – The atmosphere in Mogadishu is calm on Thursday morning after it was reported that there was a build-up of government troops on Mogadishu’s busiest roads, especially in the Hodan district, late Wednesday evening.
Ali Abdi Wardere (Ali Yare), Mogadishu’s Deputy Mayor and Security Commissioner, told state media on Thursday morning that many rumours were circulating that aimed to blind the city’s residents. He assured Mogadishu residents that there were no conflicts in the city.
“Security forces stand by day and night to thwart any attempt to disrupt security, peace and development such as the pace in Mogadishu,” he added.
There were concerns that the federal government would arrest former Mogadishu police commander Sadak John. As a result, he reportedly relocated from his residence to a neighbourhood where his clan members live.
Senator Abshir Ahmed, Somalia’s Deputy Senate Speaker, took to Facebook to warn that President Farmajo would be held personally responsible should anything happen to the former police commander.
Abdirahman Odowa, a lawmaker, also accused the government of sending troops to arrest Sadak John.
Ali Yare credited the President of Galmudug, Ahmed Abdi Karie ‘Qoor Qoor’for, urging that cooler heads prevail.
The VOA reports that Qoor Qoor directly mediated the talks between Sadiq John and senior members of the federal government and that Sadak John had been given safety assurances.
Sadak John was a Brigadier General and Mogadishu’s Police Commander until Tuesday when he was stripped of his rank and privilege by President Farmajo.
John made headlines on Monday when he ordered federal lawmakers to stay home and announced that he was suspending the parliamentary session in an unsuccessful bid to thwart Farmajo’s attempts at a term extension. He was promptly sacked by Somalia’s police commissioner, Gen. Abdi Hassan Hijar.
