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Mortar Rounds Shake Mogadishu Ahead of Somali Presidential Vote

by VOA News

   Five mortar rounds exploded near Mogadishu airport in the capital of
   Somalia on Tuesday evening, ahead of a parliament meeting Wednesday to
   elect the country's next president.

   There were no immediate reports of casualties from the mortar attack.
   Suspicion quickly fell on militant group al-Shabab, which has vowed to
   disrupt the election.

   The incumbent president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, is seeking re-election
   against more than 20 other candidates, including his predecessor,
   Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, and two former prime ministers. The voters
   will meet at Mogadishu's international airport under heavy security
   provided by AMISOM, the African Union Mission to Somalia.

   Observers say some candidates are trying to buy the presidency through
   cash and gifts to lawmakers.

   AMISOM has protected Somalia's fragile government for a decade against
   al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab.

   VOA's Harun Maruf contributed to this report.