Somalia's divisions intensify under Farmajo whose term ending in days

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia has extended the timetable for its parliamentary and presidential elections in both 2012 and 2016 without severe political fallout.

Somali watchers fear, however, that this time is different because of the extreme lack of trust between President Farmarjo's government and the federal states and opposition groups.

Many Somalis had high hopes for Farmajo when he won his first term as president in 2017. He has made some progress towards debt relief. He also brought federal states together to sign a historic national security policy to reform and integrate regional and federal military and police forces — although this has not yet been implemented.

But under President Farmajo's watch, the tension between the central government in Mogadishu and the federal states has increased, analysts say.

"This center-periphery competition has absolutely been exacerbated under the Farmajo administration," Somalia analyst Omar Mahmood told DW. "Unfortunately, the country seems to be more divided than before."

This was partly inflamed by federal government efforts to install its candidates of choice in regional legislatures — a move viewed by analysts as President Farmajo maneuvering to secure a second term.

Horn of Africa expert Matthew Bryden said the nation of some 15 million people, "is politically more fragile now than when Farmajo took office."

Bryden is highly critical of the president's term.

"Having had four years to prepare the ground for elections, Farmajo really hasn't presented any kind of plan or proposal or done any work, which is what led us to this very dangerous political and constitutional crisis at the moment," he said.

"So I'm afraid the balance sheet weighs heavily against President Farmajo. There's very little in his favor."