The ministry asked Robow to denounce “his ideology of terrorism…and support the federal government of Somalia”. Earlier on Thursday, Robow’s spokesman said he was also beaten by Ethiopian troops, who are part of an African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia, in the course of his arrest. Baidoa residents said the arrest sparked off clashes between Baidoa militiamen loyal to Robow and Somali and Ethiopian security forces. The U.S.-backed Mogadishu government tried to bar Robow’s presidential candidacy in South West, citing remaining U.S. sanctions against him. It was driven out of the capital in 2011 but maintains a foothold in some regions including South West.

Source: Ethiopian News December 13, 2018 15:45 UTC