Somali militants call on followers to carry out election attacks

Somalia: Somalia's Islamist militant group, al-Shabab on Monday called on its followers to kill clan elders, officials and lawmakers taking part in the country's parliamentary election and to attack polling venues.

The group's spokesman, Ali Mohamud Rage in an audio posted online said;

"Attack all places where election preparation goes on... Kill anyone who participates in the so-called election." 

According to Rage, the election was not legitimate as it was backed by non-Muslims.

Voting for Somali's 275 parliament-seat  begins on September 25 and ends on October 10.

The lawmakers will be chosen by clan elders and sworn in on October 30. The lawmakers will then choose a president.

Somali authorities and international sponsors had to cancel a plan for each candidate to receive a vote, mainly because of security challenges as the country's Western-backed government is still battling the Islamist insurgency.


The election is part of efforts to rebuild the nation that has been devasted by twenty years of war and chaos.

Spokesman for the local government of Mogadishu, Abdifatah Omar said;

"Somalia's election will take place as planned without fear," adding that security had been tightened in the city.

Al-Shabab, has frequently attacked government targets, and wants to topple the western backed government of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who is seeking re-election.