Mogadishu (Sunatimes) A member of the transitional federal parliament of Somalia has accused the Al-Shabaab militia of arresting traditional elders in Yaq-Bisharo area of lower Jubba.

Mohamed Omar Gedi, who himself hails from Jubba regions of Somalia says the Al-Shabaab militia has arrested the elders after they objected Al-Shabaab’s take over of a water well in the area.

The legislator also added that Al-Shabaab militia has detained three Red Cross aid workers together with the elders since they were involved with the issue of the water well.

Speaking to Bar-kulan, the legislator said efforts to set free the elders and the aid workers were futile and called for the militia to unconditionally release the detainees.

Mr. Gedi, however, condemned the militia for arresting innocent people in the area saying that even youths in Yaq-Bisharo have fled the area after they were oppressed by the militia.

By Siham Mohamud