Somalia: Sit and talk, Int'l partners tell Farmaajo and PM Roble amid political standoff

FILE: The international partners asked the two leaders to bury the hatchet for the betterment of the country

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble must come together and resolve their differences, international partners have said, noting that their differences could further split the fragile nation.

For almost a month, the two leaders have been tussling over the control of the government, with Villa Somalia keen to take over security responsibilities and coordination of elections. But Roble has maintained that he has a sole responsibility to execute the mandate.

In a statement on Saturday, the international partners asked the two leaders to bury the hatchet for the betterment of the country, adding that Somalia is in a trying moment that should not be gambled with.

"Somalia’s international partners note that President Mohamed Abdullahi “Farmajo” and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble continue to engage in mediated efforts to resolve the differences expressed in their exchange of statements on 16 September 2021," reads the statement.

According to the team, the tussle witnessed over the control of the ministry of security and the National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA] could injure the ongoing fight against Al-Shabaab militants, who control large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia.

"Nevertheless, partners remain concerned that the core issues have not been resolved, despite over two weeks of mediation efforts," the team said in the latest press release.

"This ongoing political uncertainty has increased the risk of further delays to the electoral process and led to confusion over the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Security [MoIS] and National Intelligence and Security Agency [NISA], whose effectiveness is vital to combating Al-Shabaab and maintaining the security situation in the country.

Roble has been coordinating elections in Somalia, but he has often faced resistance from the status quo architects. The International Community now says both parties should maintain focus in pushing for the implementation of the September 17, 2020, and May 27, 2021 agreement.

"International partners urge the President and Prime Minister to reach an agreement as soon as possible, to maintain focus on the implementation of the 17 September 2020 and 27 May 2021 electoral agreements and to ensure that key security institutions [MoIS] and NISA) are headed by able and respected leaders, especially during the electoral period."

GAROWE ONLINE