Mogadishu traffic ban ahead of presidential vote

A traffic ban has been imposed and major roads sealed off in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, ahead of Wednesday’s presidential election. Correspondents said most schools and offices remained open but people had had to walk to reach their destination. MPs will gather at the airport on Wednesday to elect a new head of state. There […]

A traffic ban has been imposed and major roads sealed off in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, ahead of Wednesday’s presidential election.
Correspondents said most schools and offices remained open but people had had to walk to reach their destination.
MPs will gather at the airport on Wednesday to elect a new head of state.
There have been fears that militant Islamist group al-Shabab, which has carried out many attacks in Mogadishu, may try to disrupt the election.
The airport is viewed as the most secure site in the Somali capital and voting was moved there from a police academy because of growing security concerns.
Wednesday’s security measures will include a ban on flights to and from Mogadishu airport.
More than 20 candidates are vying to become Somali president, with the top three proceeding to a second round of voting and the top two from that round going forward to a third and final vote.