Somalia: Police boss survives assassination ahead of presidential polls

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A senior police officer on Monday survived a suspected assassination in Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, senior officials confirmed, in an incident that comes just days before the country holds a long-delayed presidential election.

Somalia has set May 15th for the presidential election, which has attracted over 30 people, mostly former public officials including two presidents and a Prime Minister. The exercise will be held within the heavily fortified Halane Base Camp.

According to reports, Mogadishu police commander Farhan Qarole who took over recently the city, otherwise known as the Banadir region, survived an explosion that was implanted within the roadside just along the infamous Shabelle junction.

Further reports indicate that dozens of people were critically injured from the explosion but have since been treated in various hospitals in the capital Mogadishu. There is no group that has taken responsibility but Al-Shabaab militants are known for such cowardly attacks.

The explosion occurred as he was reportedly returning from Calamada where a soldier was killed following a dispute between security personnel, police sources said. It's not clear if indeed he was the target of the attack or if he happened to be a victim of circumstances.

However, attacks targeting senior government officials, security forces, and innocent civilians are common within the country, where Al-Shabaab often takes responsibility. Last month, police commander Major General Abdi Hassan Mohamed Hijar also survived an explosion in the city.

The attack comes just hours after the presidential election committee announced that AU forces now called ATMIS will take over the security of the venue where presidential elections will be held. Opposition figures have often linked local security officials to "outright" bias.

In a statement, the team said outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo will be allowed to have one soldier, one protocol officer, and a clerk to count his votes. Ex-presidents will have a protocol and clerks; others just clerks to avoid congestion within the venue.

Farmajo is facing stiff opposition from former Presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud along with former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire and Wadajir party leader Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame. Over 30 candidates have registered for the exercise.

GAROWE ONLINE