Farmaajo changes tune, appoints another spy chief as PM Roble accuses him of sabotage

The outgoing president Mohamed Farmajo failed to hold timely election after the end of his term [File Photo]

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The differences pitting outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble could be far from the end, even with the latest change of heart by Farmaajo, whose tenure technically expired on Feb 8 this year.

In a turn of events, Farmaajo accepted the ouster of National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA] chief Fahad Yasin, whom he had defended vehemently following the dismissal by PM Roble. But in his statement, Farmaajo claims Yasin "resigned" from his position.

The president immediately appointed the former spy agency boss as his National Security Advisor. The post was previously held by one Abdisaid M. Ali, who now becomes the Chief of Staff in the presidency, in the latest changes.

PM Mohamed Roble had suspended Fahad Yasin after he declined a request to deliver a report on the death of Ikran Tahlil within 48 hours. Farmajo objected to the suspension terming it as ‘unconstitutional and illegal". The PM fired Yasin due to "defiance".

In his place, Farmaajo appointed Colonel Yasin Abdullahi Mohamud, the current Benadir Regional Intelligence Commander, to temporarily head the spy agency until a new commander is appointed. The changes were published by Villa Somalia.

But the appointments may not be absolute after PM Mohamed Hussein Roble fired back, insisting that the NISA director will remain Lieutenant General Bashir Mohamed Jama alias Goobe, whom he appointed in an acting capacity after the ouster of Yasin.

In a lengthy statement, the PM urged General Goobe to assume duties "immediately" and restore "order" in the agency. He urged all those working within the agency to pledge allegiance to General Goobe, a former head of the custodian corps.

The PM further accused the president of "disruption" of the ongoing investigations towards the death of Ikran Tahlil, a junior employee within the agency who had gone missing for two months. Her death was announced by Yasin last week, blaming Al-Shabaab in the process.

"The Office of the Prime Minister expresses concerns that the statement issued by outgoing President Farmaajo further frustrates the efforts to attain justice for Ikran Tahlil," read the statement, with the PM also urging investigative agencies to expedite inquest to the death.

Perhaps, this was one of the boldest statements from the PM, who insisted that elections and security functions were transferred to his office. He urged the president to respect the law for the country to move forward.

The PM disclosed new information about the case of Ikran Tahlil Farah, saying justice agencies have been “prevented” to investigate the case. He didn’t specify who prevented it. He asks Lieutenant General Bashir Gobe to assume his responsibility as acting NISA director immediately.

Before his statement, the state media outlet pulled down a statement from Farmaajo's office, further showcasing the growing rift between the PM and Farmaajo. Sources told Garowe Online that Roble had instructed the media outlets to withdrew the statement.

On Tuesday, members of the international community asked the two leaders to solve their differences "amicably". Also, the council of presidential candidates accused Farmaajo of causing mayhem among the public.

"The Council of Presidential Candidates urges the armed forces to abrogate Farmajo's statement," read the statement, which further signifies an unending rift in Somalia, now rocking the executive wing of the government.

The abduction and the subsequent death of Ikran Tahlil have evidently caused a rift in the country, with sources claiming she had "explosive" evidence of Somali soldiers who were secretly sneaked into Eritrea. The Al-Shabaab militants have denied involvement in her death.

GAROWE ONLINE