Al-Shabaab accused of mass arrest of elders

May 10, 2012

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Al-Shabaab militants arrested nearly 100 tribal elders in central Somalia on Wednesday (May 9th), according to Somali parliamentarian Dahir Sheikh Amiin Jesow.

Jesow told Somalia's Shabelle Media Network that the elders were rounded up in Buqda-Aqable, El Ali and Mukeyle in Hiran province. He said the elders are believed to have been preparing to travel to Mogadishu to join the meeting of traditional elders tasked with selecting members of the National Constituent Assembly, which will review and vote on the draft constitution in the coming weeks.

Al-Shabaab has threatened to attack the meeting and kill anyone who participates in the ratification of the new constitution.

"It is legitimate to kill anyone who participates in the ratification on the new constitution, which is being funded by the enemies of God," said al-Shabaab spokesperson Ali Mohamud Rage.

Al-Shabaab did not comment on the arrest of the elders.

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