Transport Minister and clan elders deny Senators were refused travel

The Minister of Transport and clan elders have rebuffed claims made by two senators alleging they were forcibly removed from a Kismayo-bound flight on Sunday as they escorted the body of Jubaland’s Minister of education, Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamud.

Mohamed Abdullahi Salad (Omaar), the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation repudiated comments made by Senator Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail (Fartaag) and Senator Iftin Hassan (Baasto), insisting that the pair were allowed to travel to Kismayo. The Minister went on to say that he believes that Senator Fartaag was attempting to weaponize the incident for political gain.

The Minister said, “That is a complete fabrication. I never asked for Senator Fartaag to be removed from the plane.”

He said security officials did stop the aircraft and asked everyone to disembark so they could confirm the passengers on the plane matched the official manifest.

“It was not discriminatory; it’s the procedure. When it was time to reboard the plane, it was my understanding that the Senators refused, even at the urging of the other passengers and airport staff.”

Speaking to reporters in Mogadishu on Monday, former MP Abdirashid Adan Gabyow criticized Senator Fartaag.

“It is unfortunate that some Senators, including Fartaag, decided to politicize the burial of our friend Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamud.” We were expecting that he would travel with us. We don’t know why he insisted on not flying.”

Sultan Jama Hassan Ibrahim and Ugas Abdirashid Ugas Bilow, two clan elders who helped escort the regional Minister’s body held a press conference after they returned to Mogadishu. They also confirmed other accounts that Senator Fartaag refused to fly on his own volition. He added that the Senator was fishing for an excuse to criticize the government.