ATMIS defends Halane lockdown, says not meant to interfere with swearing-in ceremony
GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: ATMIS has denied the lockdown at Halane Base camp was meant to jeopardise the swearing-in of lawmakers set for April 14.
The AU mission said the lockdown which commenced on April 8 through to the 16th was a procedural and normal practice aimed at bolstering security at the base.
ATMIS said the lockdown is ‘in no way intended to obstruct, force the postponement, or interfere in the smooth running of the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected Members of Parliament or any other electoral activity or government function in the Base Camp.”
The announcement of the lockdown on Friday which came amidst an escalation of fallout between Prime Minister Mohamed Roble and ATMIS head Francisco Madeira raised speculations it would interfere with the swearing-in of newly elected lawmakers.
The African Union Commission said last week it had confidence in Madeira rejecting the expulsion by Prime Minister Mohamed Roble. However, the AU’s stance has widely been condemned by a cross section of Somalis and opposition leaders who have accused the continental body of undermining the Office of the Prime Minister.
The Council of Presidential Candidates has demanded the AU Commission head Moussa Faki retracts his statement and recalls Madeira.