Farmaajo blames all but himself, asks MPs for help
By T. Roble
GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Farmaajo has asked the Lower House to intervene in the ongoing electoral brinkmanship absolving himself of any blame and roping in foreign actors in his characteristic style of escaping responsibility as the country finds itself in the dark over the fate of elections.
Locking out the Senate from his address today, Farmaajo told MPs he had satisfactorily played his role but was obstructed by Puntland, Jubbaland and ‘foreign powers’. He did not mention which powers but stuck to his blame game script.
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Noting that he did his best to convince Puntland and Jubbaland to climb down on their demands, Farmaajo said it was now up to parliament to give the way forward in what is indicative of the president’s capitulation at a time the country needs more firm leadership.
Today’s remarks by the president marked the epitome of a four-year struggle with the Federal Member States that has irrefutably earned him the enemy of federalism label
“Parliament has the authority to determine the future of this country,” Farmaajo said but assured there will be ‘no power vacuum’ indicating a term extension when his stay in office lapses on Monday.
Today’s remarks by the president marked the epitome of a four-year struggle with the Federal Member States that has irrefutably earned him the label, enemy of federalism.
He, together with his former prime minister Hassan Khaire successfully installed three regional presidents-South West, Galmudug and HirShabelle though Khaire did not live long enough in office to see the outcome of these political machinations.
Abdullahi Deni (Puntland) and his close ally Ahmed Madobe (Jubbaland) fended off attempts by Villa Somalia to influence their election and have since been on the warpath with Villa Somalia.
The Senate which is also not in good books with Farmaajo for its fervent stand for federalism has been the president’s headache leading to deliberate attempts to lock it out in the legislative process including allowing for joint sessions and agreements on consequential issues.