MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s outgoing president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo will address the nation on Tuesday night after his prime minister and two key regional states rejected an extension of his term in office.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, the presidents of Hirshabelle and Galmudug states, erstwhile allies of Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, better known as Farmajo rejected a vote by the lower house of parliament to extend outgoing president’s four-year term.
In a serious blow to Farmajo’s efforts to stay in power, his Prime Minister welcomed the decision by the two regional states and called for a return to election talks based on the September 17 agreement.
“I welcome the statement issued by Galmudug and Hirshabelle states,” the Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble said.
The United States, United Kingdom and the United Nations commended the move by Hirshabelle and Galmudug states to reject the extension. Other regional states and opposition leaders have also welcomed the decision, saying it has brought a sigh of relief to the country after violence racked the capital over the past few days.
Many have fled their homes in the capital on Tuesday over fear of renewed clashes between opposition-aligned forces and supporters of the embattled president.
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