Jubbaland protests arrest of its minister in Mogadishu, terms it illegal

Jubbaland has protested the arrest of its Security Minister in Mogadishu terming it a violation of the constitution.

In its response following the arrest of Abdirashid Nur Janan, the state information ministry also expressed concerns over the minister’s security.

Janan was arrested Saturday in Mogadishu while trying to leave the country. 

Federal Police spokeswoman Hussein Zakaria confirmed the arrest on a Twitter post. 

She did not mention the reasons for the arrest but only indicated that investigations on the government official were ongoing.

The statement from Jubbaland information ministry Sunday urged the state and federal judiciary to pronounce itself on the matter.

The arrest comes barely a week after the Federal Government announced local and international flights to and from Jubbaland must reroute to Mogadishu before proceeding to their final destinations. 

Jubbaland had mid las month blocked federal officials from entering its territory amid a heavily disputed election which saw the then incumbent Ahmed Madobe re-elected President.