US, Kenya discuss current political crisis in Somalia

Kenya has a military presence in Somalia despite a lack of good relations with the current leader at Villa Somalia Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo.

News Keydmedia Online
29 December 2021

NAIROBI, Kenya - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta discussed the current situation in the Horn of Africa, including Somalia and Ethiopia.

According to the US state department, Blinken emphasized the need for the Somali Federal government and regional states to finalize the elections in the country as soon as possible.

The top American diplomat and Uhuru looked at ways in which the political crisis in Somalia could be resolved and prevent actions by the rival leaders that could exacerbate the tension.

The two sides agreed to work together on engaging with Somali leaders to help de-escalate the political temperature resulting from Farmajo's shocking move to suspend the PM Dec 27.

Meanwhile, PM Mohamed Hussein Roble had telephoned US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee to discuss the political, security, and electoral situation in Somalia.

The outgoing Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo recently announced that he had suspended the PM managing the election over allegations of "corruption and land grab."

The US and other international partners are putting a lot of pressure on the two leaders fighting for control of the country to set aside their differences and focus on election matters.

KEYDMEDIA English