Somalia: Hassan Sheikh Shelves Russia Trip Amid Al-Shabab Attacks and Election Tensions

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud whose 4-year mandate expired in May this year has canceled a planned trip to Russia this week as his government faces mounting security challenges and a political dispute over the country’s electoral process.

The decision followed an ambush by al-Shabab militants on Monday that killed dozens of Somali soldiers at Jameeca area while heading to Burhakaba town in Bay region for an offensive against Lafta-Gareen loyal forces, a military official told Garowe Online.

Mohamud traveled to Uganda for talks with President Yoweri Museveni, during which he reportedly sought assurances that Uganda would maintain its troop presence in Somalia under a bilateral security agreement as AU forces expected to leave the country next year due to lack of funding of the AUSSOM.

Museveni rejected the request, citing financial constraints, according to reports. He also urged the visiting leader to engage opposition groups in dialogue to reach a consensus on the election standoff and warned that Uganda could withdraw its troops if the political dispute remained unresolved.

Uganda is the largest contributor of troops to the African Union mission, which supports Somali forces in their fight against al-Shabaab.

Due to the foreign pressure, Somali President Hassan Sheikh invited opposition parties and other political stakeholders to a national consultative meeting scheduled for Nov. 14-18 in Mogadishu. The talks are expected to focus on disagreements over the federal electoral process.

GAROWE ONLINE