Somalia President haunted by stance on Robow candidacy for South West State Presidency

[Deeq A.]

President Mohamud (left) believed Robow (right) did not renounce religious extremism associated with Al-shabaab.

Mogadishu (PP News Desk) — In 2019 President Hassan Sheikh, then a presidential candidate, objected to the candidacy of Mukhtar Robow to become South West State President. “Robow has yet to renounce Al-Shabaab ideology. Falling out with Al-shabaab does not necessarily translate into abandoning its ideology. Al-shabaab fighters fall out with each other regularly” President Mohamed told Universal TV.

Mukhtar Robow (middle) with senior Al-shabaab leadership circa 2010.

The former Federal Government of Somalia disqualified Robow from running for South West Presidency on grounds that his past membership in Al-shabaab senior leadership membership runs counter to principles of federating and running regions. Yesterday, Robow was appointed the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Endowment. The appointment reportedly angered South West State leadership who views the decision to include Robow in the new cabinet line-up as a plot to stoke political hostilities in a region that benefited from decentralisation and assertive leadership under President Abdiaziz Laftagareen.

Two weeks ago the new federal administration sponsored a meeting in Mogadishu for diehard South West opponents of Laftagareen headed by former South West President Sharif Hassan, giving the impression the it is Mogadishu where leadership change in Baidoa gets masterminded.

© Puntland Post, 2022

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