At least ten people was killed and more than thirty wounded after Al Shabaab militants attacked the Somali Federal Parliament in Mogadishu, on Saturday.
The attack happened during a parliamentary session, more than one hundred MPs were present in the parliament building which is one of the heavily guarded buildings in the Somali capital.
A car bomb exploded at the entrance of the Parliament, later several armed militants stormed the building, and a heavy gunfight ensued between the gunmen and the African Union Peacekeepers (AMISOM).
The gun battle was ongoing for hours after the first explosion.
For the last couple of days there have been many rumors about a motion against the President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who is currently traveling to South Africa for the inauguration ceremony of President Jacob Zuma.
More than 100 MPs were planning to draft a motion of NO confidence against the President. Many MPs blame the President of the insecurity in the country and the corruption allegations against the Federal government.
Last week Gen. Abdi Mohamed Ismail the former head of the somali Custodial Corps was pardoned by the President. The former general who was arrested last October, was indicted by the military court for releasing dozens of Al Shabab fighters from Mogadishu prison.
President Hassan says, he has released the general after requests from his clan and family members. Some say the President released the general in a campaign to gain more support to bring to a halt the current motion of NO confidence being drafted by the MPs.
In October 2013 the militant group launched a devastating attack on the Mogadishu’s court, killing more than 15 people. In February this year, Al Shabab fighters attacked the Presidential palace killing almost 20 people; seven Al shabab fighters were killed in that attack.
The government launched an investigation on the attacks. In both incidents the gunmen were wearing military uniforms and had access to the inner perimeter of the Presidential palace. But so far the Somali government hasn’t released any information regarding the ongoing investigations.
Hussein Farah
Horseed Media
