GALKAYO (Kaab TV) – Puntland police in Galkayo arrested a group of young men who were protesting during the Eid celebration at Awale Stadium, Galkayo, according to the Governor of Mudug, Faysal Sheikh Ali.
The youth were demonstrating against poor sanitation conditions in the city.
Their protest took place at Awale Stadium during the Eid prayer, a time when large crowds had gathered to celebrate.
In recent weeks, Galkayo has witnessed several protests calling for greater accountability from city management regarding public cleanliness, flooded and blocked roads, and poor infrastructure maintenance.
Local authorities have previously stated that they were engaging with the youth over these concerns and had even assigned Puntland state ministers to meet with the protesters last month.
The ministers reportedly pledged that the youth’s demands would be addressed.
“While this morning was Eid and people had gathered at Awale Stadium to celebrate, a group of young men appeared with placards,” said Governor Faysal Sheikh Ali. “They intended to stage a protest that they organized themselves without obtaining official permission. They had a microphone mounted on a vehicle and planned to address the crowd.”
The governor emphasized that maintaining security in the city is a top priority and that unauthorized gatherings which could disrupt public order will not be tolerated. He accused the youth of attempting to “incite confrontation between the public and the government.”
He added that the demonstration had disturbed public order, and that security forces acted in accordance with the law to detain the youth in order to prevent further unrest.
“The security forces informed us that they have detained the individuals along with the placards they were carrying,” the governor said. “They also told me that the detainees admitted to their actions.”
According to reports received by Kaab TV, two of those arrested were well-known local activists advocating for improved sanitation in Galkayo.
It has also been confirmed that the Director of Radio Galkayo, Mohamed Abdiasis, was arrested and is currently in custody. The governor stated that all those detained will be brought before the court.