FACE-OFF: Daggers drawn as Farmaajo, Roble square off
GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU:
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN outgoing President Mohamed Farmaajo and his Prime Minister Mohamed Roble have been simmering for a while now but blew the lid in the last 24 hours in what could portend consequential impact on preparations for elections and potentially tip the scales in favour of the PM.
A decree by Farmaajo on the eve of a visit by Kenyan Foreign Affairs Minister Raychelle Omamo escalated into an open fight between the two executive offices by close of business Sunday.
“It is prohibited, until after the elections, that Ministries and other government agencies enter into agreements or engagements in the name of the Federal Government of Somalia that affect the future of the country, the sovereignty of the country, the land and sea of our country,” Farmaajo said Saturday night in a five-point decree.
And in what seemed a direct address at the upcoming talks between Roble and ambassador Omamo and by extension the PM’s visit to Kenya, Farmaajo warned against ‘trade agreements with other countries.’
SHARP REJOINDER
But as Farmaajo concluded his meeting with the Kenyan minister, Roble fired the first salvo rubbishing the decree and instructing his ministers, departments and agencies to turn a deaf ear to the order.
Referring to article 97 of the Provisional Constitution, Roble noted, ‘executive authority is vested in the Council of Ministers which shall act in accordance with the Constitution exercising the highest executive authority.’
Roble also trashed the ‘sunset argument’ raised by Farmaajo citing article 103 thus: According to Article 103 of the Constitution of the Republic, between the date of the general election and the swearing in of a new Prime Minister, the incumbent Prime Minister and his Council of Ministers shall retain office and carry out the normal duties of the Government in a timely manner.”
Roble who came into office late July 2020 following the dramatic ouster of his predecessor Hassan Khaire reminded Farmaajo of ‘achievements’ since his inauguration. He cited restoration of diplomatic relations with Kenya, resolution of the political stalemate that paved way for elections and ‘opening of political space’ for the opposition.
The row between the two offices has already generated reactions from sections of the regional governments. Puntland president Abdullahi Deni said his administration ‘supports the Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble in leading the country during the transition period, holding elections, and strengthening foreign relations of Somalia.”
A political battle between the two leaders may adversely affect the ongoing elections but given the local and international goodwill the PM currently enjoys, Farmaajo risks the ‘spoiler’ tag.