Saturday May 21, 2022
Mogadishu (HOL) - Former al-Shabab deputy leader Mukhtar Robow Ali Abu Mansoor, who was believed to be under house arrest in Mogadishu, has appeared in public for the first time since his arrest in December 2018.
Mukhtar's brother had previously stated that the family had been denied access to him, but now reports say that the family of Mukhtar Robow has been allowed to visit him.
In December last year, Somalia's security minister demanded the security agencies provide information on Mukhtar Robow's condition within 24 hours. However, NISA responded to the security minister's request, saying Robow was in good health and that the government was paying $ 7,000 a month for his care.
The Somali government arrested Abu Mansoor in 2018 after he announced his candidacy for Southwest State President. In an interview with VOA last October, Abu Mansour said that his detention was politically motivated and feels unsafe under house arrest in Mogadishu.
The Somali federal government has said Mukhtar Robow did not meet the amnesty requirements and could not run in the South West presidential election. Villa Somalia backed Abdiaziz Laftagareen’s bid for the presidency, which he eventually won.
Mukhtar's media appearance comes less than a week after Hassan Sheikh was re-elected president of Somalia, defeating Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, who was seeking a second term in office.