The US now says it will not support efforts towards the installation of a transitional government in Somalia, arguing that such moves would trigger instability in the country.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said the US will also not tolerate efforts to hold partial and parallel elections, an idea which had been floated by Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, who said the country was to proceed with elections in a section of states.
This now means the country does not have an option other than to hold elections by first having a dialogue. In the statement, the US did not, however, refer to Farmajo as president, a coincidence perhaps with opposition leaders who have vowed not to recognize him.
Somalia’s political crisis deepened Monday after a coalition of opposition parties announced they no longer recognize President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, whose term expired with no political agreement on how to replace him.
The alliance issued a statement calling for the creation of a transitional national council to govern the Horn of Africa nation until elections can be held. The coalition said it would not accept any effort to extend President Mohamed’s term.
President Mohamed, commonly known by his nickname Farmajo, was seeking a second term through indirect elections that were scheduled to be held late last year.
Clan leaders from each member state were set to choose the members of parliament, who would then elect the president.
But he has accused opposition leaders of backing out of a deal reached last September that established the electoral process.
Mohamed and Prime Minister Hussein Roble held three days of talks last week with the leaders of five federal member states in the town of Dhusamareb, located about 500 kilometers north of the capital, Mogadishu, in hopes of reaching a compromise. But the talks collapsed Saturday, and the leaders of the federal states of Puntland and Jubaland have said they will no longer recognize Mohamed as president.
Rashid Abdi, an analyst with the Horn of Africa political and security matters, said the decision by the US not to recognize Farmajo could be important as the country heads to dialogue.
According to him, Farmajo should participate in the talks like a presidential candidate.
“There was no reference to “president” Farmajo in this statement. That is a good start,” he noted.
“Somali opposition can only engage with Farmajo as “candidate” Farmajo, not “president” Farmajo. He cannot dictate where, when to meet. Talks must be in transition. The talks are good. But only if they are sincere. Farmajo is weaponizing the talks. Puntland knows this.”
By Hussein Jama
February 10, 2021
