Somalia’s neutral stance in Gulf Crisis at stake as 4 out of 6 regions side with Saudi Arabia

President Mohamed Farmaajo (L) exchanges a handshake with Salman bin Abdulaziz, King of Saudi Arabia during a state visit in February. Farmaajo is increasingly coming under pressure from regional administrations to side with the Saudis in the Gulf Crisis. Photo: Villa Somalia.

Two regional administrations-Jubbaland and HirShabelle remain with their cards on the chest as to which direction they will take in the ongoing Gulf feud and a declaration in support of the Saudi faction could effectively alienate the Federal Government which despite being the sole authority on foreign affairs could find it increasingly difficult to stand in the fence as the 3 month crisis holds.

Galmudug last evening fired its salvo siding with South West state in criticizing the Federal Government for what it termed as uncompromising position and with it added to the list of four-itself, South West, Puntland and Somaliland which have vacated the Federal Government’s position.

Almost reading line by line with South West state, citing religious, commercial and cultural relationship with Saudi Arabia and UAE and accusing President Farmaajo led administration of indecisiveness on the matter, a statement said, “Galmudug state of Somalia has no choice but to stand with UAE and Saudi Arabia for their noble pursuit to fight against extremism in any form and their firm stance in relation to this issue.”

South West state last week said it could no longer wait for President Farmaajo to declare his position on the matter following a request for time in a July meeting by the President and regional state leaders.

The move by Galmudug adds pressure to the Federal Government which in early June declared it would maintain a neutral stand on the Gulf Crisis which is now heading to the forth month. Only two regions out of six are yet to declare their stand and the rate at which the developments are unfolding, the southerly state of Jubbaland could in the coming days file in its statement.

Somalia’s Puntland breaks ranks with Federal Govt, backs Saudi Arabia as Gulf Crisis bites

HirShabelle state elected a new leader last week thus any major decision like this might have to await a full formation of the cabinet. However, the immediate former HirShabelle president Abdullahi Ali Osoble issued a statement in support of Saudi Arabia two days after he was ousted by the state assembly as he held a defiant stance over his ouster.

Article 54 of the Provisional Constitutional vests sole power and responsibility on the Federal Government on Foreign Affairs, National Defense, Citizenship and Immigration and Monetary Policy.

However regional administrations cannot be discounted in a matter as the Gulf Crisis given the support the nascent state governments receive from the Gulf and the influence state presidents have been known to have especially in past administrations over Federal Government decisions.

UN chief in Somalia Michael Keating told the UN Security Council last mid this month revenue streams and investment from the Gulf to Somalia were drying out noting alluding to noting ‘The Federal Government’s declaration of neutrality, while receiving widespread support, has not gone down well with certain constituencies.”