Soldiers, militias leave Mogadishu following FGS-Opposition demilitarization deal

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Soldiers, militias leave Mogadishu following FGS-Opposition demilitarization deal

The last group of military forces and opposition militias left Mogadishu Friday following a crucial deal between Prime Minister Mohamed Roble and opposition groups this past week.

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The last group of military forces and opposition militias left Mogadishu Friday following a crucial deal between Prime Minister Mohamed Roble and opposition groups this past week.

Heavily armed soldiers and militias were seen leaving various stations Friday where they had been based since April when the government and opposition sides inched close to full-scale fighting.

Some of the government soldiers were drawn from the Hiiraan region in central Somalia.

"We are sending our forces back to the frontline position to defend the country and its people," Federal MP Mahad Salad told journalists.

Opposition forces mainly based in northern Mogadishu districts of Kaaraan and Abdiaziz and parts of Hodan district have also left their bases.

Prime Minister Mohamed Roble led the demilitarisation process on Thursday and urged roadblocks mounted by both sides to be removed.

The move followed a deal between Roble and the 15 member Council of Presidential Candidates (CPC) Wednesday. According to a communique from the meeting, all forces were to vacate the city in 48 hours.

The two sides also agreed that deserting soldiers will not be punished upon return to their bases. Opposition soldiers were drawn from the Middle Shabelle region.

The withdrawal of the forces comes ahead of electoral talks scheduled for May 20. The African Union announced Friday the appointment of a High Representative to Somalia, former Ghanaian president John Mahama.

Mahama will be engaging with the Federal Government and the Federal Member States, and other stakeholders, including the opposition, to resolve the long-running electoral stalemate.

Hiiraan