Farmajo continues to divide Somalia as he holds disputed talks

Jubaland said in a statement that it would not attend the meeting on the electoral standoff, if Farmajo goes with his stance not to invite all political stakeholders in Somalia, including the opposition candidates.

News Keydmedia Online
21 February 2021

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The outgoing Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has on Sunday opened a conference at the presidential palace which brings together the leaders of Galmudug, HirShabelle, Southwest, and Mogadishu Mayor.

The talks at Villa Somalia come at a time of deepening political crisis in Somalia and have been boycotted by Jubaland and Puntland leaders, who have set strict conditions for their participation.

Jubaland said in a statement that it would not attend the meeting on the electoral standoff, if Farmajo goes with his stance not to invite all political stakeholders in Somalia, including the opposition candidates.

The Federal State called for the dialogue to be held in a secure venue guaranteed by the international community, such as the Halane, the AU military base that largely houses western diplomatic missions.

In addition, Jubaland demanded that the outgoing President not play a role in the electoral process to gain the confidence of all political stakeholders and hold free and fair elections.

The new conditions are a big blow to the international community's efforts to bring the regional states and Farmajo to negotiating table to reach a consensus on disputed electoral issues.

The leaders locked the horns over the implementation of the September 17 electoral agreement signed in Mogadishu as Farmajo, whose four-year term ended on February 8 declined to make concessions.

The main contentious issues are the election for Federal MPs in Gedo, which Farmajo wants to manage, and the disbandment of the electoral committee that was included, spy agents and civil servants.

KON English News Desk