Somalia: Protests erupt in Mogadishu over detained army general

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Hundreds of people associated with estranged former military General Sheegow Ahmed Ali have thronged into the streets of Somalia's capital Mogadishu, demanding his immediate release from detention, hours after he was arrested by the police.

Sheegow was arrested on Saturday following clashes between rebels allied to him who engaged police in running battles for the better part of Friday night and Saturday morning, authorities confirmed. He is still in police custody pending investigations.

Chanting "liberation" songs, protestors started marching from Dharkenley District and headed to the famous Sayid Junction which leads to the Presidential Palace, the official residence of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the current leader of the federal government of Somalia.

Security officers stationed near the palace used live ammunition to disperse protesters who were calling for Sheegow's release from prison, eyewitnesses said. However, no casualties were reported during the violent demonstrations, authorities added.

For long periods, traffic jam built along the busy Maka Al-Mukarama, eye witnesses added. Participants accused police of using excessive force to quell demonstrations, adding that the government is losing confidence from among the people.

Besides Sheegow, at least 24 armed militia were arrested by the police and are currently waiting to be charged for violent protests in the capital, Mogadishu. According to the report by the police, Sheegow, and his team are accused of violent conduct besides destabilization of security in Mogadishu.

Cases of mutiny and dissent in the military are common in Somalia, a country that has struggled with instability for the last three decades. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has diverted his attention to the fight against Al-Shabaab militants, who are trying to topple the government.

GAROWE ONLINE