Somalia: FNP pulls out of talks with president over 2020 election

MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Forum for National Parties [FNA], an oppositional alliance in Somalia announced it abandoned negotiations with the president over the next elections and political process, Garowe Online reports.

The decision of FNP to pull out of talks with president Farmajo casts a new shadow over hopes for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing political stalemate that has paralyzed the Horn of Africa nation.

In a statement, FNP has blamed Farmajo for dishonest and guileful attitude towards a genuine dialogue that culminates in a significant the shrinking political space ahead of the upcoming elections in 2020-21.

“The president has a habit of nodding in meetings but lacks the courage to share the outcome with the public,” read the statement in part. The FNP described the talks a failed “dialogue”.

At Villa Somalia’s request, former leaders, Sheikh Sharif and Hassan Sheikh, representing FNP met with Farmajo on November 20 with the aim to initiate meaningful dialogue between FGS and the opposition.

The two sides were expected to hold a second round of talks to assess progress on the issues agreed in the first meeting that Fahad Yasin, the country’s Intelligence Agency [NISA] and Qatar have brokered.

FNP says it will only resume dialogue with the president of Somalia Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo on condition that agreed points are made public and implemented to the letter in a consented time frame.

Analysts said the pullout adds more uncertainty to the stalemate.

The FNP which is made up of more than six Somali opposition parties, including two major parties led by former presidents of the country, joined hands to form a new political alliance following a meeting in Mogadishu last October.

                                              FNP Statement:

GAROWE ONLINE