Southwest Minister for Information, Ilyas Ali Noor has resigned from the post barely two days after rival forces fought in Baidoa town, killing more than 10 people.
Mr Nur accused the leader of Southwest state, Abdiaziz Hassan Lafta-gareen of attacking opposition figures in the town.
“I am clarifying that the Southwest administration caused yesterday’s problem in Baidoa. The bloodshed could have been avoided and resolved through negotiation. The state government did not respect us,” said minister Ilyas Noor.
On Friday, militias loyal to Mohamed Adan Ibrahim Fargeti, who formerly served as federal government Minister of Finance clashed with Southwest state security forces following a raid on the Fargeti’s residential home in Baidoa town.
Ilyas called on the Ethiopian forces in the Southwest state to support the election.
“We urge the Ethiopian forces working under the framework of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (Atmis) to maintain their neutral stance and help Southwest to hold their elections peacefully,” Ilyas said.
