REJECTED: AU cuts off Farmaajo as local opposition swells

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The African Union, Mohamed Farmaajo’s last hope at securing legitimacy for his illegal stay in office has delivered one of its sternest verdicts condemning the unilateral extension, officially leaving the beleaguered leader an isolated and rejected man in the global arena.

In what is commonly reserved for coup leaders and military junta, the African Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) Thursday came down hard on Farmaajo and the Lower House for what it termed a threat to security and gains made with the support of the fellow African countries.

The AUPSC, “Condemns the actions of 12 April 2021 by the House of People, which extended the mandate of the President and the Parliament, as effectively delaying the elections, thereby undermining unity and stability of the country, the nascent democratic and constitutional processes, which also threaten the relative peace and security, as well as the important gains that Somalia has made over the years with the support of the AU and other partners with huge sacrifices,” a communique from the continental body said.

Forget extended stay, donors tell Farmaajo in first encounter

The Council also warned the resolution which Farmaajo hurriedly signed mid this month posed a threat to ‘cohesion of the Somali federation, the unity of the Somali army and security apparatuses, the process of force generation and the capability to continue to degrade Al Shabaab.”

The September 2020 Agreement and the Baidoa Framework remain the only basis for elections in Somalia, the AUSPC said calling for a return to the negotiating table.

ISOLATED LEADER

The adverse position from the African Union now further isolates Farmaajo who had this past week banked on to lend his extended stay some legitimacy. Speaking in Kinshasa this past week following a meeting with DRC president Felix Tshisekedi, Farmaajo made it clear he wanted support for his troubled stay in office.

“I urge all international partners including the African Union to support this historic timely decision,” Farmaajo said. He has previously referred to the Lower House resolution as ‘historic’.

Key donors to Somalia notably the US, UK and EU have all rejected the extension bid indicating deployment of sanctions, aid cuts and re-evaluation of relations with Somalia. The African Union too had indicated it would not be supporting the illegal mandate.

Following the AUSPC communique, the US added its voice in support of the AU position. “We support the African Union Peace and Security Council decision condemning the mandate extension passed last week by the Somali parliament. We welcome the African Union mediation and urge Somalia’s leaders to agree to a way forward to resolve the electoral crisis promptly,” the State Department Bureau of African Affairs tweeted.

OPTIONS RUNNING OUT

The Arab League also called for dialogue but has not formally issued a position on the ongoing stalemate. “The League’s General Secretariat stated that the League calls, in this context, to the Somali parties to show the utmost wisdom and adhere to political dialogue as the only option in order to reach an inclusive agreement on the upcoming national elections,” a statement published on the League’s website read in part.

Ahead of the communique yesterday, Villa Somalia was already on the warpath with neighbours accusing them of attempts to influence the outcome of the AUSPC meeting.

“It has come to our attention that two AUSPC members, namely the Republic of Kenya and the Republic of Djibouti, are engaged in sinister campaigns aimed at derailing the political process in Somalia by trying to influence the outcome of the AUPSC meeting to the detriment of the future of the Somali people.”

With all options for international and local support fast running out, Farmaajo is now a caged man operating on the prodding of Villa Somalia mandarins and social media foot soldiers.