Somalia: Former Al-Shabaab leader runs for SW State President

[Deeq A.]

MOGADISHU (Caasimada Online)–Former Al-Shabaab deputy leader Mukhtar Robow Abu Mansour has announced his candidacy for the leadership of Southwest regional administration.

The election is set to take place next month as Abu Mansour will compete against the incumbent Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden and several others

Sheikh Mukhtar Robow was removed from the terror list in June last year and a $5 million bounty on his head was withdrawn.

In August last year, he surrendered to Somali government after several days of clashes between his militias and Al-Shabab.

He reportedly has support from some regional lawmakers.

Robow once freed several Somali MPs after Al-Shabaab captured Baidoa in 2009.

Al-Shabaab accused him of having ideological differences with leadership.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has also accused Robow of being had a leadership role in the group when it documented indiscriminate attacks on civilians, forced recruitment of children and other abuses in Somalia.

Caasimada Online
Mogadishu News Desk
Caasimada@live.com