A curfew aimed at curbing crime in the southern Somali district of Shalambod will to come into force on Tuesday evening, an Islamic court official in the area said.
"The curfew will start on 8.00 p.m. and end at dawn and is aimed at maintaining peace which has been violated by enemies of Allah (God) who kill, loot or rape," Islamic court official Artan Ali Warsame told AFP.
But Mohamed Maya Munye, a prominent elder in the Shalambod in the southern Lower Shabelle region, said crime did not warrant a curfew.
"I feel there is another reason for the curfew," said Munge. He declined to elaborate.
The Islamic courts have deployed militiamen in the volatile Lower Shabelle since the middle of last year, ostensibly to crack down on banditry in the area.
The Islamic militia presence has been opposed by several faction leaders in the area – MOGADISHU (AFP)
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