UNSC echoes AU in rejecting Farmaajo’s illegal stay in office
GOOBJOOG NEWS|NEW YORK: The UN Security Council has affirmed its rejection against the extension of Mohamed Farmaajo’s term as president of Somalia further slumping the embattled leader’s hopes of clinging to power amid similar pronouncements by the African Union, the EU and other major western donors.
A joint statement following an informal session by the 15 member Council this past week called for a return to talks endorsing the September 17, 2020 deal as the only basis to unlock the ongoing electoral stalemate.
RELATED COVERAGE: REJECTED: AU cuts off Farmaajo as local opposition swells
“They noted the 17 September agreement has remained the only basis so far endorsed by the Federal Government of Somalia and all Federal Member States,” the statement read in part.
The global body tasked with maintaining world peace also urged all parties in Somalia to reject violence ‘resume dialogue as a matter of urgency and without precondition’.
SIMILAR AU CALL
The Security Council remarks follow a strong condemnation of the term extension by the African Union Peace and Security Council. The AU Council which met on Wednesday said it would not support an extended stay in office by Farmaajo and instead called for the resumption of talks.
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.
The European Union which has from the onset rubbished the April 12 unilateral resolution by the Lower House lauded the AU statement. “The European Union supports the rejection of any mandate extension and looks forward to a prompt return to negotiations, facilitated by an African Union envoy, to achieve consensus for elections, based on the agreement of 17 September 2020,” EU high representative Josep Borrell said in a statement Friday.