Robow was flown from Baidoa to Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, for a meeting at the residence of the regional president of Southwest state. At least four people were killed, including an Ethiopian soldier, in the clashes between troops and armed men thought to be Robow's supporters, said Abdi. Robow is running to be regional president of Southwest state in elections scheduled for Dec. 19. Robow's controversial campaign exposed the rift between Somalia's federal government, based in Mogadishu, and the regional government. "I was asked to relinquish my candidacy but I'm telling you that...I will be running for president," Robow told supporters in October.

Source: Ethiopian News December 13, 2018 17:37 UTC