Djibouti: 15 Killed, dozens wounded in clashes between Police and Sufi practitioners
Djibouti, Balbala- 15 Sufi practitioners were killed and more than 50 others were wounded by the Djibouti Police on Monday, Dec 21, 2015, at 4:00 am at the Balbala localities near the only American military base in Africa, where they were celebrating the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Clashes between Isse sub-clan of Yonis Moussa, who were performing their religious rituals and the Djibouti police erupted after the police tried to disperse the crowd amid to prevent a possible Ethiopian-style protest.
The police fired live bullets on hundreds of event participators as they were chanting and celebrating their “Mowlid”, which literally means the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in which Sufi sect holds around the World every year.
Djibouti armored vehicles have been seen at the scene. Images of the killed and wounded are being circulated on the social media such as Facebook and Twitter.
Djibouti is a tiny Eastern African country ruled by authoritarian regime since 1999. China and U.S will have their bases side by side in Djibouti in 2017.
President of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh changed the country’s constitution allowing himself for a third term. IOG is accused of human rights violations by the opposition, an allegation he denies.
Source: SomalilandInformer