MOGADISHU – The UN’s backed African Union peacekeeping forces from Djiboutian contingent have re-established the overall security in and suburbs of Baladweyne town, a day after fighting between two rival groups.
The Djiboutian peacekeeping troops under African Union mission known as ‘AMISOM’ have taken control of the entrance and the regional headquarters offices of Hiran in Baladweyne town.
AMISOM’s move comes after fighting broke out between two rival groups over Hiran regional governorship when an ousted governor of Hiran region, Yusuf Dabaged rejected his dismissal, triggering heavy fighting near the town.
Tuesday’s gunfight killed a regional police commander, whose name has been released as Mohamed Ma’ow Halane while his deputy was also injured.
The dispute caused the deadly gun battle came after the ousted governor Yusuf accused the president of Hirshabelle State Mohamed Abdi Waare of mismanagement.
Meanwhile, president Waare has, then, responded by sacking Yusuf and appointed Ali Mohamed Arale as the new governor of Hiran region in central Somalia.
In reaction to the latest violence, Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed has on Wednesday ordered an investigation over the cause of the fighting in Baladweyne town.
President Mohamed expressed concern about the current situation in Hiran region.
He formed a committee to investigate and assess the cause of the fighting in a bid to sort out the ongoing tension and restore order and security in the town of Baladweyne.
Baladweyne, which is the provincial capital of Hiran region, lies some 335km in north of Mogadishu under control of Djiboutian troops serving under African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia.
