MOGADISHU – Ridwan Abdiwali, Somalia Government spokesman said on Sunday that Abdullahi-Mohamed Sanbaloosh, Somalia’s Intelligence Chief, has been sacked and replaced by his deputy, Mohamed Abdullahi-Haamud.
He said this was as a result of his crackdown on the media and been unable to carry out his responsibilities properly.
“He is linked to crackdown on government critics, closing two independent radio stations same day, and order the arrest of three journalists.
“The intelligence chief had allegedly ordered arrests of journalists, politicians and clan elders who were regarded as critics of the government,’’ he said. [eap_ad_1] Abdiwali said journalists were also detained after refusing to obey orders handed down by him not to report on statements issued by the radical Islamist group al-Shabaab.
A security official said on condition of anonymity that “Sanbalooshe has been using excessive power without the full knowledge of top government officials’’.
Analysts said Sanbalooshe was close ally of President Hassan Mohamud and his sacking might spark infighting within the government. (dpa/NAN)
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