MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s opposition leaders on Friday hailed the expulsion of African Union envoy Francisco Madeira over alleged interference in the country’s political affairs, a move that has further frayed tensions in the capital Mogadishu.
“The Council of Presidential Candidates welcomes the decision reached by the office the Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble demanding that Ambassador Francisco Madeira – AU special envoy to Somalia and head of AMISOM mission – leave the country within 48 hours,” the council, a conglomerate of opposition parties said in a statement.
“The Council believes that the decision of the Prime Minister was needed and was thoroughly contemplated to ensure the sovereignty of the country, and to prevent obstruction on stabilization efforts or ignition of political differences between Somalis.”
On Thursday Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble declared the AU envoy persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country within 48 hours for “engaging in acts that are incompatible with his status”, prompting a rebuke from the President who called the move “illegitimate”. read more
The opposition council called on authorities to ensure that new MPs are sworn in on April 14 to prevent further delays to the electoral process.
Meanwhile, Hawiye traditional leaders welcomed the decision by Somali Prime Minister and threatened that they would cease cooperation with the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia if it fails to play a neutral role in the current power struggle.
An undated leaked audio appeared to show Madeira, a Mozambican who had been appointed to the office in 2015, launch a blistering attack on the Prime Minister, two former presidents and some of the regional leaders against the incumbent President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, remarks that many believe led to his expulsion. read more
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