Police arrest ex-governor in connection with Puntland minister's assassination

Mr. Abdinur Mohamed “Gessey,� the former governor of Mudug region, was arrested at a house in the provincial capital Galkayo in a police operation overnight Monday, sources said.

Mr. Gessey did not resist authorities as police and soldiers raided the home. He is currently being held at the Galkayo central region, according to police officials.

Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed “Farole,� the president of Puntland State, revoked Mr. Gessey of his duty as governor two weeks ago after the former governor refused to appear in public following the assassination of Puntland’s former information minister, Mr. Warsame Abdi “Sefta Bananka.�

Widespread speculation linked Mr. Gessey to the information minister’s killing, but Mr. Gessey has repeatedly rejected any connection to the murder case.

Separately, Mr. Gessey’s son shot and killed a relative of the deceased information minister overnight Monday and escaped. Puntland authorities continue to conduct search operations in Galkayo, which is under a nighttime curfew.

Independent sources said the latest victim, identified as Gobe Ali Hobar, is a distant relative of Mr. Sefta Bananka, Puntland’s late information minister who was assassinated in Galkayo on August 5. Mr. Gessey’s son and the late Mr. Hobar reportedly had an argument over the information minister’s assassination before a fatal bullet ended Mr. Hobar’s life.

The killers behind Mr. Sefta Bananka’s assassination have yet to be brought to court, but police investigations into the matter continue.

Meanwhile, Puntland’s leaders, including President Farole and the Vice President, Gen. Abdisamad Ali Shire, say they are committed to staying in Galkayo until the city elects a new District Council representing the city’s various interests.

The new District Council, which is almost complete, is expected to elect a mayor, police commanders and court judges.

Puntland is a relatively stable region in northeastern Somalia that supports a federal system of government for the war-torn Horn of Africa country .

The self-governing state has held peaceful elections followed by orderly transition of power, most recently in January 2009 when Dr. Farole became Puntland's third elected leader.