MOGADISHU, Somalia – Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire has continued his “diplomatic” missions across the country, more than 50 days after he was unusually hounded from office, following disagreements with Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, who was accused of constructing his ouster.
Khaire, who served as prime minister for longer than any of his predecessors, was ousted from parliament, citing, among other things, the failure to implement the one-on-one election model backed by several international partners who support the Renaissance in Somalia.
So controversial was his removal that international partners accused the country’s leadership of targeting him unfairly, but the pressure did not affect the changes, which were carried out by determined MPs who are pro-Farmajo, the man accused of, among other things, technical disagreement in the Horn of Africa.
In Mogadishu on Monday night, Khaire Galmadug leader Ahmed Kariye alias Qoorqoor met the man credited with organizing the national dialogue that culminated in the signing of a historic agreement between the Somali federal government and member states last week in Mogadishu. .
Qoorqoor, a close ally of Farmajo and a former minister, had arranged three meetings in Dhusamareb to discuss the country’s controversial election model before the last meeting was convened last week after days of delays caused by suspicion and anxiety.
According to a statement released by Qoorqoor, the two leaders discussed Somalia’s upcoming elections to be held in November. The development of the central state of Somalia was also significant in the discussions, which could trigger a political debate.
“We discussed election issues and Galmudug’s role, as well as the results of the overall Galmudug and the challenges ahead,” the Galmadug leader, who was hailed by international partners over the role in the Somalia dialogue, said in a statement.
Galmadug held elections in February 2020, but clashes almost destabilize the state after the withdrawal of its rivals who accused Villa Somalia of rigging them. However, the state leadership has since reconciled despite persistent pressure from local militia groups.
Khaire has since announced his presidential candidacy for the upcoming election and is ready to fight his former ally, Farmajo. He has met with a number of senior officials, including Senate Speaker Abdi Hashi following his unprecedented removal.
Also in the running to remove Farmajo are Wadajir party leader Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame and former presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. However, the two have agreed to choose one of them for the election at the Forum for National Parties [FNP] ticket.
AXADLETM
