AU dispatches team to Somalia following expulsion of envoy

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: A delegation from the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU-PSC) arrived in Mogadishu Monday two days before the expulsion ultimatum for a senior AU envoy in Somalia lapses.

The delegation was led by the Egyptian Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Dr. Mohamed Omar Gad. The delegation was received by AMISOM head Francisco Madeira and AMISOM force commanders.

The arrival of the AU delegation follows the expulsion of AMISOM deputy head Simon Mulongo who was ordered to leave the country on November 4. The seven days ultimatum lapses tomorrow.

According to a tweet by AMISOM, the AU officials were expected to meet with Prime Minister Mohamed Roble and outgoing President Mohamed Farmaajo. It was not immediately clear if the two sides discussed the fate of Mulongo.

Somalia had accused Mulongo of ‘engaging in activities incompatible with AMISOM mandate and Somali security strategy’.

Somalia has also sharply differed with the African Union over a proposal by the continental body to replace AMISOM with a hybrid force comprising AU and UN mandated forces.