IIhan Omar: It's time for Farmajo to step aside

WASHINGTON- US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar now wants outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo to step aside and allow Somalia to move forward instead of dragging the electoral exercise which was supposed to this year. 

For months, Farmaajo has been accused of acting as a stumbling block in the ongoing elections, with the opposition linking him to dragged elections. The country was supposed to start elections last year. 

In a tweet, Ms. Omar, serving her second term, opined that Farmaajo should step aside, noting that his mandate was exhausted in February 2021. He has been operating without being within the confines of the constitution. 

"Farmaajo is a year past his mandate. It's time for him to step aside and for long-overdue elections to proceed as soon as possible," said Ms. Omar, who fled the civil war in Somalia before settling in Minnesota. 

This is the first time a senior leader from the United States has asked Farmaajo to step aside. The president insisted that he'd suspended Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, but the PM insists he doesn't have powers to do so. 

The US Bureau of African affairs warned that Washington is prepared to work on those against peace and prosperity in Somalia but not mention specific people. It's not clear if the message's intention was President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo. 

"The U.S. is prepared to act against those who obstruct Somalia’s path to peace. The attempted suspension of Mohamed Roble is alarming, and we support his efforts for rapid and credible elections. All parties must desist from escalators actions and statements," read the text. 

Farmaajo has also been accused of installing his loyalists at Lower House and other vital departments purposely to upcoming rig elections. He's facing a tough challenge from former Presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, among other top candidates.

GAROWE ONLINE