Puntland, Jubbaland blame Farmaajo for failed talks

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Jubbaland and Puntland have once again hit out at outgoing President Mohamed Farmaajo for ‘frustrating’ efforts aimed at unlocking the long-running political stalemate warning of possible instability in the country.

The allied axis led by Abdullahi Deni (Puntland) and his Jubbaland counterpart Ahmed Madobe said in a joint statement Farmaajo had become a stumbling block and has watered down efforts by the international community to mediate the talks.

“The Member States of the Federal Government of Somalia in Puntland and Jubaland have expressed concern that the outgoing senior officials of the Federal Government of Somalia are obstructing the convening of the conference in Mogadishu,” the joint statement said.

The continued stalemate, the two leaders said was now tantamount to exacerbating the already fragile state of the nation.

“We, therefore, warn that prolonged meetings could jeopardize the future of the Somali people,” the statement read in part. The two leaders added that they were ready for talks to find a solution to the electoral squabbling.

The statement which comes after a series of meeting which included sessions with representatives of the international community signals a tough road ahead for the country which has been banking of the federal and state leaders to resolve their differences and allow the country head to elections.

Federal Member State leaders have been in Mogadishu for about three weeks where they were expected to meet with the Federal Government leaders to resolve the electoral stalemate.

The opposition has expressed fears that Farmaajo is engineering an extended stay in office through the Lower House where he holds sway.