Somalia’s outgoing president on verge of resigning before vote

The PM and all five Federal States said they were ready to return to the negotiating table to discuss the way forward and reach a consensus on the electoral process based on the Sept 17 model endorsed by all sides.

News Keydmedia Online
27 April 2021

MOGADISHU, Somalia – The outgoing President of Somalia Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, whose four-year term ended last February, is set to declare his resignation after facing rejection over his extension.

The despair came after the leaders of Galmudug, HirShabelle, and Southwest regional states who have long sided with him changed their mind, opposing the extension which dragged Somalia into conflict.

Farmajo has also faced a surprise opposition from his prime minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, who announced on Tuesday a decision that the country will go to the polling stations, snubbing extension.

The international community has previously rejected the president's extension, warning it could lead to a civil war that is now being felt in Mogadishu after government troops and opposition fighters clashed.

The PM and all five Federal States said they were ready to return to the negotiating table to discuss the way forward and reach a consensus on the electoral process based on the Sept 17 model endorsed by all sides.

Farmajo has been left alone and is facing an uncertain future, which could force him to quit, according to a senior official at Villa Somalia, who didn’t want to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter.

During his turbulent presidency, Farmajo failed to prepare Somalia for an inclusive and timely election in accordance with the provisional constitution which stipulates an election should take every 4 years.

The term-ended president said he will soon deliver a speech to the public on Tuesday night, and is expected to welcome the decision of his PM and as well as Galmudug and HirShabelle states which was a stab in the back

KEYDMEDIA English