Mogadishu (Sunatimes) Reports from Bal’ad town in Middle Shabelle say that Al-Shabaab led administration in the area is holding the newly appointed minister for Women and Family Affairs, Asho Osman Aqil.

There are conflicting reports from the area, with some saying that Al-Shabaab intercepted the newly appointed minister while on her way to Mogadishu to take up the job.

Others suggest that she gave up herself into the hands of the militia fearing reprisal from the militia after she was appointed last night into the cabinet.

One of her relatives told Bar-kulan that Asho was not willing to take up the ministerial post given to her since her husband was killed in the same region, saying that she was not consulted before the appointment.

The Al-Shabaab militia has not yet released any statement about the plight of the newly appointed minister in their custody.

ASha is among the newly eighteen member cabinet appointed by the Somali Prime Minister, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali.

By Dahir Alasow