MOGADISHU, Somalia – Even with the deepening political crisis in Somalia, United States envoy to Somalia Donald Yamamoto met the leaders of Jubaland and Northeastern State on Sunday as he tried to remove the current dead end that threatens both the country’s security and stability.
After President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has been ousted, the country is struggling against time to get new leaders in place, but the political class has failed to agree on certain important issues, leading to the current stalemate.
Last week, the federal government in Somalia claimed that Jubaland and Northeastern State were behind the collapse of the Afisyoni conference, but the two states have since described the allegations as “inaccurate and insignificant”, adding that they are committed to ensuring a solution is reached. .
Sources told Axadlethat Yamamoto held a closed door meeting with President Said Abdullahi Deni of Northeastern State and Jubaland’s Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe, who has been in Mogadishu for almost a month now over election talks.
While the details of the meeting remain sparse, Yamamoto has sought to bring together FMS and FGS leaders, with the international community pushing to implement the agreement on the 17th of September, which FGS also claims is the only “shortcut to elections”. .
Firebrand Southwest president Lafta-Gareen, who has close ties with outgoing president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, has reportedly also moved back to Mogadishu, further boosting Yamamoto’s efforts to help teams find a deal.
Jubaland and Northeastern State insist that the February 19 shooting in Mogadishu and the legitimacy of Farmajo’s administration be included in the talks’ agenda.
There are also allegations that the lower house wants to extend President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo’s term, albeit unconstitutionally.
AXADLETM
