Somalia: Mogadishu will be on lockdown ahead of Wednesday's Presidential poll

MOGADISHU, Somalia– Mayor of Mogadishu Yusuf Hussein Jima’ale said on Sunday that city's main roads will be closed from Monday evening until the end of the presidential poll on Wednesday, Garowe Online reports.

Speaking at a press conference in the capital, Jima’ale said the overall security in Mogadishu and the surrounding environs will be increased and beefed up by Somali forces, with the support of AMISOM.

"I request Mogadishu residents to be more patient for the coming two days as major roads will remain closed to prevent the terror group Al Shabaab from carrying out attacks to disrupt the February 8 poll," he said.

The mayor has called on schools and universities in the capital to send their students to two-days break during the election. He said the Somali and AMISOM forces will conduct major security measures.

For security reason, the Presidential Elections Committee (PEC) said Saturday it was relocating the election venue from the Police academy to Afisyoni complex in the heavily fortified Aden Adde International Airport after a request from 18 presidential candidates.

This comes just two weeks after Al Shabaab has staged a massive car bomb attack on Dayah hotel near the presidential palace in Mogadishu, which left more than 20 people, including 3 well-known elders dead.

GAROWEONLINE