Sunday May 1, 2022
Mogadishu (HOL) - The commander of the Somali police force, General Abdi Hassan Mohamed Hijar, said that the police are tightening the security in Mogadishu ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holidays to prevent Al Shabab from committing acts of terror.
Hijar chaired a meeting on the country's security and said during the last Eid in Mogadishu, the militant group al Shabaab killed several police officers in separate attacks.
The police chief also said there is a need to strengthen election security. Hijar urged the various government forces to work together on security to conclude the country's elections peacefully. He said that he hopes a new government will be seated by next month.
Somalia's lower house of parliament is expected to announce the organizing committee for the presidential election on May 4. The committee will then release the timetable for the election.
Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble authorized the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to take over security at the airport hanger where parliament speaker elections were held last week, and the presidential election would be held.
Hijar's statement came days after facing accusations from lawmakers tasked with organizing the house leadership elections. On Wednesday, the federal Minister of Interior suspended Hijar for allegedly interfering in the parliamentary sessions.
General Hijar has denied the allegations against him.