Ex-PM Sharmarke meets Roble as opposition mulls new political path

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Former Prime Minister Abdirashid Sharmarke Saturday evening met with Prime Minister Mohamed Roble following earlier meetings with the opposition Presidential Candidates who are reportedly mooting a new political direction amid concerns over the ongoing elections. The meeting was attended by former planning minister Abdirahman Aynte who said in a Facebook post the meeting focused on the general situation of the country and the ongoing elections. Sharmake arrived in Mogadishu last week and has been meeting members of the Council of Presidential Candidates. Sources privy to the meetings told Goobjoog News the CPC will be fronting Sharmarke alongside former Lower House speaker Mohamed Jawari to lead a new political movement akin to the National Salvation Forum which brought together the CPC and Presidents of Jubaland, Puntland and the Somaliland caucus led by outgoing Senate Speaker Abdi Hashi. A new front however faces the challenge of bringing in presidents Abdullahi Deni and his Jubaland counterpart Ahmed Madobe both of who have distanced themselves from the NSF and CPC in recent months following Deni’s entry into the Presidential race. CPC announced last week it was pulling out from the ongoing elections and would not recognise its outcome. They also called for a stop to the process following widespread grievances including from some clans that Villa Somalia was forcing candidates on them. However, the international community has poured cold water on calls for a half to the process. In an exclusive interview with Goobjoog News last week, UK ambassador to Somalia and the US chargé d’affaires Colleen Crenwelge said the elections should go on noting any grievances should be addressed through existing dispute resolution mechanisms.