The former deputy leader of al-Qaida-linked militant group al-Shabab has been arrested in southern Somalia, sparking clashes between his supporters and pro-government forces that left eight people dead. Telecommunications in Biadoa were briefly shut down as disgruntled Robow supporters took to the streets. He finally turned himself over to authorities of the Somali Federal Government in August 2017, after the United States removed the bounty on his head. Meanwhile, security was tight Thursday in Mogadishu as Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki made his first visit to the Somali capital and met with the Somali president. Relations between Eritrea and Somalia have warmed since Eritrea made peace with longtime rival Ethiopia earlier this year.

Source: Ethiopian News December 13, 2018 13:41 UTC