Somalia soldiers on Monday afternoon sneaked into Mandera in pursuit of their minister.
Reliable sources briefed Opera News that the soldiers were planning to raid a hotel where the Jubaland Minister Mr Abdirashid Hassan Abdinur alias Janan is allegedly hiding.
Mr Abdinur was arrested in September 2019 for serious crimes but he escaped prison and fled to Kenya where he is believed to be hiding.
“It is indeed true that the soldiers are at the Kenyan border but their mission remains unknown only word that they want to raid a hotel in Mandera and make an arrest,” a senior officer privy to the matter said.
The Minister is accused of crimes under international law and human rights violations and he has been evading attempts to bring him to justice.
Amnesty International through its East Africa boss Seif Magango said that Kenya should cooperate with their Somalia counterparts to nab the suspect.
“The Kenyan authorities must immediately arrest and hand him over to the Federal Government of Somalia, who should conduct his trial in a manner that that meets international fair trial standards, without any further delays. Victims of his alleged crimes have waited patiently for justice and their hopes must not be frustrated,” he said.
Mr Magango wondered why it has been futile to take action against the ex-minister so as his victims could get justice.
His escape from Somalia was first made public on January 28, 2020 through the office of the Deputy Police Commissioner of the Federal Government of Somalia, Mr Zakia Hussein.
Mr Hussein further announced that he was a ‘wanted man’ asking members of the public to give information that would lead to his arrest.
Chief of staff in the office of the Jubaland President, Abshir Mohamed in a Tweet confirmed that indeed the fugitive had sneaked from prison and arrived in Kismayo.
He was first arrested at Aden Abdulle Airport for crimes he committed within the Gedo region.