Somali president flies out for ’emergency’ medical checkup

Somalia’s president left for Germany for urgent medical check-ups, sources close to the Somali leader told media

The 60-years old president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had to leave for an undisclosed ailment on Wednesday.

This is not the first time the Somali president is seeking treatment overseas. He had flown to Turkey last year for a medical check-up; however his previous visit was overshadowed by rumors of his death which he instantly denied as ‘groundless.

Mr. Mohamud’s medical trip comes one day after he paid a regional visit to the central Somali town of Dhusomareb on Wednesday to help the formation an administration for the town.

During his visit, government troops and the moderate Sufi militias fought for the control of the neighboring town of Guri-el which fell into the hands of militias loyal to Ahlu-Sunna Waljamaca fighters.

Presidential sources haven’t disclosed the length of the president’s medical trip in Germany.