Mogadishu – Abdullahi Abdi Jama (Shimbir), the recently appointed Governor of Gedo region has secretly arrived in the town, leaving local residents and authorities surprised.
His unexpected arrival on Tuesday comes amidst a domestic flights embargo imposed on the region, raising concerns about his possible ties with the extremist group, Al-Shabab.
Shimbir, appointed by Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe), the President of Jubaland whose term is set to expire in August this year, confirmed his arrival to the local media but he declined to give further details about his trip from Kismayo.
However, his trip marks the first time a government or regional official has undertaken such a dangerous journey by road and through areas controlled by militants.
Alarmed by Shimbir’s secret arrival in the town, which went unnoticed has raised questions about the effectiveness of the existing security measures. The Ethiopian ATMIS contingent and local allied forces have since imposed a nighttime curfew on the town.
Gedo authorities have expressed concern over Shimbir’s arrival route, as it should have involved traveling through Al-Shabab-held strongholds.
The notorious extremist group has in the past executed suspected government employees they intercepted while traveling through their controlled territories.
The risky nature of traveling through areas under militant control by the official has heightened suspicions among officials about Shimbir’s potential ties with Al-Shabab and suggested that the extremist group may have facilitated his passage without any hindrance.
Meanwhile, the development takes place against the backdrop of an existing flights ban on Gedo region, which has resisted attempts by Jubaland state to introduce a new controversial regional state.
As a result, the current administration in the region has subsequently turned back flights carrying newly appointed officials.
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