Commanders who ordered ‘attempted coup’ must be held accountable-Ex-president Mohamud

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has said military commanders who took part in the blockade of Prime Minister Mohamed Roble from accessing his office must be held accountable as both the opposition and the PM accuse outgoing president Mohamed Farmaajo of an ‘attempted coup’.

Speaking Friday night in Mogadishu, the former head of state said the military commanders should also be made to account for other incidents including curtailing opposition rallies.

“The military commanders who ordered the anti-government activities, including the cessation of rallies and failed coups, must be held accountable,” the former president and current presidential candidate said. “The consistency of their words and actions is the only thing that counts.”

The UPD party leader also castigated Farmaajo for  ‘doing everything that could lead to a civil war.

Security forces allied to Farmaajo blocked Roble from heading to his office on December 27 forcing the PM to walk on foot alongside some ministers to his office located within Villa Somalia.

In his address that day, Roble termed Farmaajo as a former president and accused him of an ‘attempted coup’. The incident followed a series of events from the Christmas period which saw bitter exchanges between the two leaders.

The U.S and other western donors have rebuked Farmaajo and urged him to support Roble in convening the National Consultative Council meeting to deliberate on the ongoing elections.