HARGEISA, Somalia – In the midst of ongoing political upheavals in Somalia, the self-proclaimed state of North Western of Somaliahas released Mogadishu’s brewing tensions as “unprecedented” and dismissed the government of outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo as “oppressive” and “tyrannical”.
In a statement from the Foreign Ministry, North Western of Somaliasaid it was “seriously concerned” about undemocratic and destabilizing events in “our neighboring country” Somalia, in another step that could trigger more calls for international recognition of the secessionist state.
Farmajo, who was first elected in 2017, has since enticed parliament to extend his term by two more years after the country did not hold elections in time. However, the lower house’s decision has been rejected by dozens of stakeholders as “insignificant” and “threat to democracy”.
“Today’s political stalemate is a testament to the oppressive and tyrannical leadership of the Farmajo regime, which is an absolute threat to security and stability in the region,” North Western of Somaliasaid in a statement.
And to give hope to their neighbors, North Western of Somaliaadded: “We urge the people of Mogadishu who have been held up in relentless Al-Shabaab terrorism and Farmajo’s authoritarianism and his willful violation of human rights to maintain their peace and stability.”
The declaration will undoubtedly strain the relationship between Mogadishu and Hargeisa given their recent different interests. In the last few months, North Western of Somaliahas been pushing for statehood despite opposition from Somalia, which President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo faces.
For example, Somalia was annoyed by Somaliland’s decision to establish ties with Taiwan, another separatist state that China claimed. But Hargeisa, which runs a completely parallel government with its own currency and institutions, believes it is an alternative to the interests of the International Community in the Horn of Africa.
To stabilize nearby Somalia, North Western of Somalianow wants the UN and other stakeholders to involve them directly in finding a solution to transform Somalia’s troubled unrest and fight terrorism.
“We urge the United Nations to engage directly with North Western of Somaliaand learn from their experience in keeping terrorism in check, rebuilding our nation and reiterating our success in holding free and fair elections for Somalia and beyond.”
Somaliland, a former British protectorate, merged with Somalia, an Italian protectorate in 1960 to form the Republic of Somalia, but the union disbanded in 1991 after the ouster of military ruler Siad Barre.
In Somalia, several questions have been raised about the legitimacy of Farmajo’s administrations with Senate Speaker Abdi Hashi, who comes from North Western of Somaliaand now called the decision “unconstitutional” in what now gives the stalemate a new twist.
“The constitution does not give the lower house the power to extend the term of the president, even the two houses together cannot extend the designation Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo,” said speaker Hashi.
“The international community US2SOMALIA UNSomalia has a great influence on us and they provide security and financial support to Somalia,” said the speaker of the House of Lords Hashi, speaking of the political crisis in Somalia.
Similarly, pressure from the international community continues, with most stakeholders now asking Farmajo to reject the decision and return to negotiations with competitors. A number of stakeholders want the agreement to be honored before the September 17 elections, some of which threaten to withdraw aid to Somalia.
“The resolution of April 12 undermines peace, security and stability in Somalia and beyond. This decision will also further delay the holding of the credible elections that the Somali people await,” the UN mission to Somalia said in a statement.
“We are convinced that the implementation of the September 17 agreement remains the best available approach, and we therefore call on federal governments and federal member states to return to the negotiations as soon as possible to agree on a way forward. We calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, continue dialogue and avoid unilateral actions that could ignite tensions, ”it added.
AXADLETM
