Farmaajo meets allied FMS leaders as Deni, Madobe keep off

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Outgoing president Mohamed Farmaajo is this morning meeting with three friendly Federal Member State leaders as his arch political enemies Ahmed Madobe of Jubbaland and his Puntland ally Abdullahi Deni keep off.

The meeting has been long awaited following close to two weeks of political activity in Mogadishu opened at the Airforce hangar within the precincts of Aden Adde Airport. Those attending are Abdi Qoorqoor of Galmudug, Abdiaziz Lafta Gareen (South West), HirShabelle’s Ali Gudlaawe and Banadir Regional Administration Governor Omar Filish.

The two sides, Goobjoog News has learnt have sharply differed on the agenda of the meeting in what could further jeopardise prospects of a deal as international pressure piles on the leaders.

The Farmaajo faction is pushing for three agenda items notably the Baidoa technical committee report, Gedo, Somaliland and the implementation of the deal by the temporary electoral body FIET.

On their part, Deni and Madobe who are now key members of the opposition alliance National Salvation Front want additional issues addressed in the meeting besides those by the Farmaajo side. This includes security of the elections, changes in the police and military command and commitment by Farmaajo through a signature limiting his executive authority.

The two leaders also want the formation of a transitional council that will be tasked with running the country until a new administration comes into being. The NSF and the Council of Presidential Candidates (CPC) have both demanded Farmaajo relinquishes authority.

Meanwhile, the international community has demanded the leaders set aside their differences and agree on a deal to allow the country to go into elections. The US embassy in Mogadishu was more categorical.

“The people of Somalia want elections now,” the embassy said in a tweet adding, all FMS leaders ‘must stay in Mogadishu until an election agreement is reached. Failure is not an option.”