US closing in on Farmaajo and allies as it backs PM Roble

GOOBJOOG NEWS|WASHINGTON: The US has pressed outgoing President Mohamed Farmaajo to end his machinations against Prime Minister Mohamed Roble in yet another direct rebuke on the embattled leader as tensions between the two leaders ease.

Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Molly Phee spoke separately with Farmaajo and Roble and urged for an end to the infighting. “I spoke today with Somalia’s President Mohamed Farmaajo about the urgent need to stop escalatory rhetoric and actions. I stressed security forces should remain neutral,” Phee said in a tweet.

She added that she urged Farmaajo to support the PM in convening the National Consultative Council meeting which had been slated for December 27 but overtaken by a rift at Villa Somalia.

The remarks by the US official highlights an increasing impatience by Washington on Farmaajo who has been accused variously of seeking to undermine the elections and secure a continued stay in power.

The phone call is also a warning to Farmaajo allies in the Federal Member States namely Galmudug’s Ahmed Qoorqoor, Ali Gudlawe of HirShabelle and their South West state counterpart Abdiasis Lafta Gareen who have publicly undermined the Prime Minister and rejected an invite for the NCC meeting.