Opposition Presidential candidates of Southwest state express concern over safety of Baidoa ahead of reconciliation conference

The Opposition presidential candidates of Somalia’s Southwest state have expressed concern about the safety of Baidoa which is hosting the much anticipated regional reconciliation conference in the coming days.

The opposition Presidential candidates council had requested the removal of the regional forces from the airport premises as well as the key land checkpoints of the city and proposed the African transitional mission troops in Somalia to take the responsibility of controlling the airport, a call denounced by the regional administration.

In a statement they accused Laftagareen, the regional President, for threatening opposition figures by arresting or banning them from landing in the airport or entering from land checkpoints.

The statement came as the Southwest state administration is in the final preparations of hosting the reconciliation conference that is expected to bring all opposing sides together on the negotiation table.