Int'l partners: Ikran Tahlil's case is creating political tensions and could disrupt election

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia's international partners have raised concerns about the electoral process, arguing that the death of Ikran Tahlil, a junior employee within the National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA], could further delay the electoral process.

Already, the executive is sharply divided over the death, with leadership in NISA also thrown into jeopardy. Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble sacked NISA boss Fahad Yasin and replaced him with Lieutenant General Bashir Mohamed Jamah.

But in response, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo defended Yasin, before accepting his "resignation", subsequently appointing him as National Security Advisor. The president picked Yasin Abdullahi as the acting NISA director.

However, Roble responded by dismissing the move, insisting that General Bashir Mohamed Jamah remains the NISA boss. He accused Farmaajo of disrupting investigations towards the death of Ikran Tahlil, whose family is demanding justice.

The international partners now insist the tussle would delay the electoral process in Somalia, further risking plunging the nation into a political crisis. The team want that case to be dealt with without necessarily raising political tensions..l

"International partners are concerned that the controversy surrounding the disappearance of Ms. Ikran Tahlil Farah is creating political tensions that could impact on the functioning of the Federal Government of Somalia and disrupt the electoral process," reads the statement.

The partners also want all the stakeholders to focus on the implementation of the May 27 agreement, adding that PM Mohamed Roble has effectively put mechanisms in place. The team fears that the current differences between Roble and President Farmaajo could lead to tensions.

"We urge Somali leaders to de-escalate the political confrontation surrounding this investigation and, in particular, avoid any actions that could lead to violence," they noted. "We call on Somalia’s leaders to work together to advance the implementation of the 27 May Agreement toward the holding of elections, recognizing the progress made to date by the National Consultative Council under the effective leadership of Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble."

"We continue to engage a wide range of Somali leaders to urge for a rapid resolution of this dispute, including a credible investigation of Ikran’s disappearance and the completion of the electoral process without any further delay."

Roble insists that President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo should recuse himself from the current tensions, adding that independent investigations should be embraced. He urged Lieutenant General Bashir Mohamed Jamah and the military court to fast-track investigations.

GAROWE ONLINE