At least one hundred people have been placed in jail after they were accused of being behind the violent riots that took place in the port city of Kismayu, 500 km northwest of the capital Mogadishu.

The riots happened started at 9:00 pm and lasted 12:00 midnight

The Islamic Courts security head for Lowe Jubba region Abdulahi Ahmed Warsame had confirmed to Shabelle Radio in Mogadishu that they seized a number of people who, he said, were the coordinators of last night's riots that brought about the damages of properties.

The demonstrators were reportedly complaining about an Islamist administration set up of which most important posts have been bestowed to a single tribe.

Lower Jubba region security head also said they would curb the tense situation in the port city of Kismayu, adding they would not allow any demonstration to happen in the city they are in control and that Kismayu inhabitants would be warned against such demonstrations.

Somalia had no central governments since former president Mohammed Siyad Barre was overthrown in 1991.