MOGADISHU-Somali Council of presidential candidates have condemned the heavy deployment of the special troops in Hiiraan region by the federal government saying the move could undermine peace in the region and blasted President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo for wanting to use the troops to rig the 25 Parliamentary seats in the town and urged Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble to intervene and order the army not to be used in the political process.
The union said the deployment of the forces in the city is against the recent National Consultative Council meeting outcome that called for the military not get involved in the ongoing political process in the country.
Somalia Federal government has on Wednesday morning depoyed trained Haramacad police and Gorgor military forces to Beledweyne in central Somalia to pave way pave way for Hirshabelle State President Ali Abdullahi Gudlawe to visit the town to oversee elections.
Three planes carrying the special forces touched down at Ugas Khalif airport in the city as conflicting reports emerged of the motive of their deployment to the town with some senior politicians saying the move is for Villa Somalia to rig the elections in the town slated for next month.
Tension was high on Tuesday when armed militia took over the town protesting against anticipated visit by Hirshabelle State President Ali Gudlawe saying he is not welcomed in the town.
Armed forces loyal to former SNA commander Col Nuur Dheere took control of the town vowing to block Gudlawe from entering the city.Gudlawe has been facing opposition in the town since his elections in 2020 which violated power sharing agreement.
President Ali Gudlawe was later forced to cancel his visit to the town after the rebellious forces moved into the town.
Renegade Ex-Somali National Army (SNA) commandant and leader of Hiraan Salvation Army Abukar Warsame Huud who is against Hirshabelle had arrived in Mogadishu last week to engage talks with president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and Federal government officials to open talks in possible peace in the town.
