WFP Official Freed In Somalia
The Head of the World Food Programme in Somalia has been
freed after six days of detention by the government.
Idris Osman was arrested at the United Nations compound in
Mogadishu, allegedly as part of an investigation into
unspecified crimes.
The WFP subsequently stopped distribution of food aid in
Mogadishu in protest at the move.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had condemned the arrest as
"forceful and illegal."
Somali PM Ali Mohamed Ghedi had claimed that Osman, arrested by
troops last Thursday, was under investigation.
No charges were however brought against him.
The UN had protested strongly against Mr. Osman's incarceration
and had demanded explanations.
When Ali Ghedi was asked about the incident, he said, "Mr. Idris
is under the custody of the national security forces,
comfortably in a very clean and stable place, meeting with his
family members."
"If Mr. Idris is innocent after a quick investigation, he will
be released without conditions. If he is guilty, he will go to
justice,” he had added.
Ghedi was speaking during a visit to Ethiopia, where he had been
discussing both the rift in Somalia's transitional federal
government and his own future.
Up till now, the UN employee’s offence has not been revealed.
BBC/YINKA
