Somalia: Join campaign trail, PM Roble tells Farmaajo

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble has asked for outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo to immediately step aside and concentrate on the campaign trail as the country prepares for elections.

At his office on Monday after falling out with Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, Roble insisted that he's still in charge of elections and security in the country, a day after Farmaajo purportedly suspended him from executing his duties.

In yet a rare jibe against President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, Roble insisted that he's only answerable to the council of ministers and not "former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo". This was the first direct attack on Farmaajo by Roble.

Before issuing the statement, Roble's office had referred to Farmaajo as "immediate former president". Roble described his blocking in the morning as an ‘attempted’ coup echoing remarks by former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who termed it an ‘attempted military coup’.

The relationship between the two leaders has substantially nose-dived in the last two months, with Roble insisting he's in charge of elections. Further, he added, the meeting with National Consultative Council is still on with Jubaland President Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe and Puntland's Said Abdullahi Deni all confirming attendance.

However, Farmaajo’s ally in South West state, Abdiasis Lafta Gareen said he will only be attending a meeting called by Farmaajo. Lafta-Gareen is one of the few leaders with direct access to Farmaajo in the country.

The escalation of exchanges between the two leaders has attracted calls for a reprieve from the international community and local leaders. The US, Britain and Italy have since called for de-escalation and so have a host of local leaders.

After the completion of Lower House elections, the country is set to conduct presidential elections. Farmaajo is set to face among others, former Presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud along with former PM Hassan Ali Khaire.

GAROWE ONLINE