Somali Islamist Group Ban Narcotics and Appoint Mayor for Former Interim Capital

BAIDOA, Somalia Mar 24 (Garowe Online) - Islamist hardliners who control much of southern Somalia have appointed a new administration for the southwestern town of Baidoa, Radio Garowe reports.
Sheikh Hassan Mohamed "Abu Ayman," the head of Al Shabaab in Bay and Bakool regions, told a Tuesday press conference that the new administration consists of three officials.

"The Baidoa administration is chaired by Sheikh Abdihafid Omar Ibrahim, the court will be led by Sheikh Abdullahi Ibrahim 'Garweyne' and the head of social affairs is Sheikh Yusuf Ali Omar," Abu Ayman announced.

It is the first administration appointed by Al Shabaab for the town of Baidoa, which served as Somalia's seat of parliament from Feb. 2006 until January this year.

Further, Abu Ayman stated that vehicles with tinted windows are "banned" except for Al Shabaab officials, as part of an ongoing security effort.

He justified the order, saying that that "government elements" were seen inside Baidoa with "intentions to make trouble."

Abu Ayman indicated that khat, a leafy narcotic popular across Somalia, cannot be sold inside Baidoa beginning tomorrow [March 25].

"Khat cannot be sold inside the town [Baidoa] and we have established a place for khat sellers near the airport," he said.

Abu Ayman also ordered aid agencies operating in Bay and Bakool regions to "register before April 15" or be considered illegal.

Source: Garowe Online