Deni, Madobe up pressure on Farmaajo to withdraw troops from Gedo

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU:  Jubbaland and Puntland presidents have demanded the withdrawal of federal troops from Gedo region ahead of elections sustaining pressure on President Mohamed Farmaajo whom they accuse of failing to honor his earlier promise.

Speaking via video conference in the ongoing Somalia Partnership Forum, the two leaders who have stood out as most critical of Farmaajo said the withdrawal of the troops was necessary for ‘free and fair elections’.

“The federal government should withdraw troops in Gedo for the region to conduct free and fair elections,” Deni told the conference which brings together national leaders and the international community.

“Jubbaland has the legal authority to administer its elections, as do the other Federal Member States,” Deni said adding the continued stay of the troops in Gedo was an obstacle to elections in the region.

Madobe questioned how elections will be conducted in Jubbaland in the presence of the federal troops.

“When Puntland holds elections in two places, Hirshabelle, Galmudug and South West in both places, will Jubbaland hold them in one place, or will the government have the right to hold them in Gedo,” Madobe posed.

Farmaajo deployed federal troops in Gedo early this year following a bitter political dispute with Madobe.