End your political battles, US tells Roble, Farmaajo

GOOBJOOG NEWS|NEW YORK: The US has upped its calls on Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Roble and outgoing President Mohamed Farmaajo to resolve their differences building on similar calls by the international community including the UN Security Council.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price urged the two Somali leaders to de-escalate tensions and allow room for dialogue noting the completion of the elections and war against Al-Shabaab were at stake should the stalemate persist.

“Based on our shared interest to ensure the electoral process moves forward, we call on the President and the Prime Minister to avoid further provocative statements or actions and to resolve their disagreement over personnel appointments and their respective authorities peacefully,” Price said. He added that rapidly completing the electoral process will help advance the country’s counter-terrorism agenda and give the next government the opportunity to meet the needs of Somalia’s people.

The US statement adds to similar calls by the international community urging restrain and dialogue following weeks of tensions in Mogadishu as Roble and Farmaajo went on a spree of appointments and dismissals of government officials in the wake of the death of NISA female agent Ikran Farah.

The two have been embroiled in a political spat triggered by the death of the NISA female spy agent Ikran Farah which forced the Prime Minister to make radical changes in government sparking a standoff with Farmaajo.

There is yet no word on reconciliation between the two leaders after a similar attempt by a section of Federal Member State leaders last week flopped.