AU to kick out Madeira from Somalia after a diplomatic tiff

FILE: Ambassador Francisco Madeira

ADDIS ABABA - The Embattled African Union Transition Mission [ATMIS] boss Ambassador Francisco Madeira is after all on his way out of Somalia, The EastAfrican reports, in what could dramatically end his seven years of dominance in the peacekeeping mission, where he has been accused of meddling in the country's internal affairs.

Diplomatic sources told The EastAfrican it would be “unrealistic” for Francisco Madeira to return to Somalia after the country stripped him of diplomatic privileges. Already, the government of Somalia through Security minister Abdullahi Nor ordered for revocation of his Visa.

According to multiple sources, Madeira is now under immense pressure to quit so that it doesn't appear like he was fired from the mission. The controversial envoy is yet to respond to inquiries about his troubles with a section of senior government officials in Somalia.

This week, Madeira would have been celebrating the onset of the transition mission after it changed from African Union Mission in Somalia [AMISOM], which lasted 13 years in the country. Instead, he found himself on the receiving end despite defense in his favor by outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo.

As of Thursday, this week, the African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat was publicly adamant that he had “full trust and confidence” in Madeira, a position supported by President Mohamed Farmaajo, but which his Prime Minister Hussein Roble did not agree with.

But earlier this week, PM Mohamed Hussein Roble asked government officials to strip him of diplomatic privileges such as work permits and VIP access within Aden Adde International Airport. It's not clear if the orders have been affected by diplomatic officials.

However, despite his endless troubles, Madeira is said to have left Somalia before Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble declared him persona non grata. The veteran diplomat is believed to be very close to estranged President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo.

Although he left before the incident, the secretariat left behind seems to be also dysfunctional. A memo written by Deputy Head of Mission Fiona Lortan and delivered to him, saw the second-ranking ATMIS official complaining about the conduct of Political Chief Babatunde Taiwo.

The memo in question was authored by Mr. Madeira’s deputy, South African diplomat Fiona Lortan, who complained of a “breakdown in relationship” with Babatunde Taiwo, the head of political affairs at the Mission.

In 2020, an internal report by the African Union linked Madeira to continuous interference in the country's internal affairs, arguing that he had been taking sides in the country's fragile politics despite the fact that AU is required to be neutral.

“Madeira has said several times that Amisom will remain neutral during political disputes between Somali politicians, but this has not been matched by his actions,” says a leaked report filed by the then Amisom Mission cell analysis chief, Walters Samah.

“Madeira introduced an erratic management and leadership style, characterized by fear, suspicion, threats, corruption, favoritism, bullying and intimidation,” the report added, warning that if unchecked, the mission may fail to use its position to support the political process in Somalia.

Maman Sambo Sidikou, a Niger national currently working with the UN in West Africa is tipped to take over from Madeira. However, Sidikou denied the reports when contacted by Garowe Online, adding that "I am in an active UN mission, the reports are untrue".

The new envoy who is replacing the longest-serving AU diplomat in Somalia will inherit a difficult mission.

GAROWE ONLINE