Farmajo renames Dhusamareb after signing controversial deal with FMS leaders

MOGADISHU, Somalia - As a sign of solidarity with the people of Galmadug, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo on Friday renamed Dhusamareb, the regional administrative capital of the state, following a request from political and community leaders, who hold the view that the town is significant in the history of Somalia.

For the second time, Farmajo stayed in the town which is located in central Somalia, for over a week, following pressure from the international community to have a political deal reached over the model that should be used in the upcoming elections.

In a statement issued by Villa Somalia Communication Director Abdinur Mohamed, Dhusamareb was renamed Samareeb by President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo to reflect its reconciliation role and hosting key meetings. It's is one of the oldest in Somalia.

"Dhusamareeb is officially Samareeb. H.E President Farmaajo has agreed to rename the historic town of Dhusamareb upon the request of the Leadership. This town has been critical in leading the election efforts and the name befits," he said in a statement.

Traditionally, the town has been the epicenter of national political discourse and political leaders have often gathered there to discuss issues affecting the country. This year alone, it has hosted top leadership in the country twice in the effort to seek consensus on the model of elections.

A section of Somali leaders settled on the Constituency Caucuses model which automatically admitted indirect elections. But unlike in the past, civil society, elders, and women totaling to 301 will choose to MPs from a constituency and the winner will participate in the election of the president in parliament.

But despite the fact that the model has been backed by international partners, three regional leaders, and Mogadishu Mayor Omar Filish, the leadership of Puntland and Jubaland boycotted the Dhusamareb III meeting, forcing Farmajo to further urge them to rethink their stand on the electoral matter.

In a statement on Friday, Farmajo insisted that: "We are disappointed with your absence but we still believe that you'll join us and share your wisdom and contributions. We request you to be part of a historic moment which is significant for Somalia's future."

Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe and his Puntland counterpart Said Abdullahi Deni faulted the Dhusamareb III meeting, arguing that their initial concerns over the current impasse were not put into consideration, something which could sabotage the implementation of the outcome.

In a joint statement issued on Friday, Puntland and Jubaland said "we reject the outcome in totality" while citing several setbacks, including but not limited to the absence of a guarantor. The agreement, they added, "cannot hold water since it did not factor input from important stakeholders in our country".

"Nobody was to represent any of us in the meeting. We had issues that the Federal Government was not ready to solve. The agreement is null and void," read the statement, adding that: "We, however, thank the international community for always standing with the people of Somalia."

During the Dhusamareb II conferences, all the five federal states leaders were present.

Galmadug state is currently under the leadership of Ahmed Abdi Kariye, a former top officer in Mogadishu who won the regional leadership presidency in February this year during an election which was boycotted by four of his competitors over "interference" from Mogadishu.

GAROWE ONLINE