A Somali official says Ethiopian troops that are part of the African Union forces supporting the Somali government have arrested Robow in Baidoa. Robow defected last year from al-Shabab, Africa's deadliest extremist group, last year and is now running to be regional president of Southwest state in elections scheduled for Dec. 19. The Ethiopian soldiers arrested Robow at the regional president's residence in Baidoa, according to witnesses. Worried about Robow's popularity, the federal government sent at least one high-level official to try to persuade him to step aside. The U.S. military's Africa command said it is aware of the reports of Robow's arrest.

Source: Ethiopian News December 13, 2018 11:16 UTC