Somalia: Farmajo faces growing pressure following illegal extension
MOGADISHU, Somalia – Under pressure, Somalia’s outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo on Saturday met with members of the international community on Saturday amid calls to stop and resume dialogue following escalating political tensions in the country.
Farmajo is urged to resume dialogue in the country following cases of stakeholder distrust and his decision to accept an extension of his two-year term. The House of Commons had taken the initiative after the dialogue broke down.
Those who attended were the Deputy Special Representative for the UN and ambassadors from the EU, AU, the UK and the US. According to sources, members of the international community warned against extending the term, saying it could polarize the country further.
They added that it would not support a path to elections outside the September 17 agreement, which has broad political agreement. The conversation centered on resuming dialogue with the federal Member States.
They also explained to Farmajo how their bilateral relationship could change in light of the extension. The outgoing president convened the meeting in the Afisyoni tent after being told that the international partners were planning to hold talks on the current situation in Somalia.
The Somali government is heavily dependent on international aid and received 1.9 billion. Dollars in official development assistance in 2019, which were almost equal parts humanitarian ($ 934 million) and development assistance ($ 924 million).
The World Bank, the United Kingdom, the European Union and Germany were the most significant contributors to development aid in 2019, providing more than 50% of total development aid (approximately $ 500 million). The United States provided nearly half of all humanitarian aid in 2019 ($ 455 million).
The term extension was rejected by the Senate as unconstitutional, while the opposition has also protested the decision, arguing that the Constitution does not give the House of Commons such powers.
Somalia’s foreign ministry fired back, saying the government will not tolerate threats or interference from external forces in internal affairs.
“Inflammatory statements filled with threats that undermine the political independence and sovereign rights of national institutions will only serve to encourage terrorist organizations and anti-peace elements in Somalia.”
On Thursday, Somalia’s foreign affairs Balal Mohamed Osman met with Russian Ambassador to Somalia and Djibouti Mikhail Golovanov amid a growing divide between the Horn of Africa and prominent Western bakers.
The visit was seen as the federal government doubling its decision to expand its mandate and show its Western allies that it could also look east and create new relations.
Enlargement has disrupted an already fragile political situation and threatens to divide Somalia’s security sector under clan lines.
AXADLETM
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