Security has been scaled up in Jubbaland ahead of the elections expected later this month.
Joint AMISOM and regional forces have intensified patrols in the strategic port city of Kismayo in a bid to secure the town ahead the elections.
Jubbaland state’s vice-president, Mohamud Sayid Adan confirmed that AMISOM Police and Jubbaland police forces have been deployed to bolster security of the town, especially the polling centres during the elections.
Jubbaland presidential candidates have previously expressed concern over their security and expressed their dissatisfaction with the security situation in Kismayo.
Tigabu Yilma Wondimhunegn, the AMISOM Force Commander, on Monday 5th August arrived in Kismayo to discuss security during the elections with Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam popularly known as Ahmed Madobe.
The two sides agreed that Jubbaland regional police and AMISOM contingents in the sector will closely coordinate on security matters during the polls.
The current state president, Ahmed Madobe, is fighting to retain his seat but faces very stiff competition from other presidential candidates, some of whom are backed by the Federal Government of Somalia.
Security has been beefed up citing the recent bomb attack at a hotel in Kismayo where several people were killed.
Also, the Al-Qaeda branch in Somalia, Al-Shabaab has been threatening targeting clan elders who participate in the elections with executions. There is possibility that Al-Shabaab would conduct an attack in an attempt to disrupt the elections.
It is expected that as the vote draws near, the armed militant group pushing for factional interests is likely to employ violence and thus security forces need to be ready to preempt such an occurrence.
