MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s international partners called for the resumption of talks between the country’s most powerful leaders – the president and his prime minister – to bring an end to “differences expressed in their exchange of statements on 16 September 2021”.
The dispute, nominally over the murder of a female intelligence officer, reached new heights over the past weeks after the prime minister sacked the country’s powerful spy chief, drawing rebuke from the president. Both leaders appointed two different men to head the intelligence agency, which has shed the light on the heating up wrangling. read more
As the wrangling dragged on, the president said last month that he had suspended the prime minister’s powers to dismiss and appoint officials, a move Roble has later rejected, accusing Farmajo of violating the constitution and separation of powers of government institutions.
Mediation efforts led by Galmudug president aimed at easing tensions and ending the row came to an abysmal failure. Regional official blamed the president’s side for the fiasco and said the prime minister showed commitment to negotiating in good faith. read more
“Nevertheless, partners remain concerned that the core issues have not been resolved, despite over two weeks of mediation efforts. This ongoing political uncertainty has increased the risk of further delays to the electoral process and led to confusion over the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Security (MoIS) and National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), whose effectiveness is vital to combatting Al-Shabaab and maintaining the security situation in the country,” Somalia’s international partners said in a statement on Saturday.
“International partners urge the President and Prime Minister to reach an agreement as soon as possible, to maintain focus on the implementation of the 17 September 2020 and 27 May 2021 electoral agreements and to ensure that key security institutions (MoIS and NISA) are headed by able and respected leaders, especially during the electoral period.”
Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com
