Galmudug, HirShabelle decamp leaving Farmaajo with one FMS

Galmudug and HirShabelle which have hitherto stood with Farmaajo but did not declare public support of the extension decamped Tuesday joining Jubbaland and Puntland in the no camp.

“ We agreed that the country should hold elections as soon as possible and that any form of extension should be abolished,” the two states said in a joint statement.

They echoed opposition and international community’s stance that the process to elections should be solely based on the September 17, 2020 Agreement.

The two states whose presidents were installed in a Villa Somalia orchestrated deal also deplored the violence in Mogadishu and called for an end.

Effectively now, Farmaajo remains with Abdiaziz Lafta Gareen of South West who is also likely to jump ship owing to local and international pressure.

All the FMS presidents have between two and three years in office before facing an election and would rather stake their future on a new Villa Somalia occupant.

The move by the two FMS follow international pressure including sanctions, travel bans and visa restrictions. The US, UK and the EU have since contemplated deploying these measures to bring the situation to bear.

The violence in Mogadishu which has displaced hundreds has also pressed the two leaders to distance themselves from Farmaajo. The two leaders also come from regions which which are largely dominated by communities allied to the opposition.