Simon Mulongo: I don't know why I was expelled from Somalia

FILE: “I have no idea what this is about. I want to deal with facts, not rumors," he said.

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The African Union Mission in Somalia Deputy Head Simon Mulongo says he does not understand why he was expelled from Somalia, adding that he will wait for the union to issue further directives on his role within the Horn of Africa nation.

Last week, the federal government of Somalia issued directives to have Mulongo out of the country under unclear circumstances, and Mogadishu is yet to give clarity to the predicaments of the AU top official to the country.

The Daily Monitor reported that Mulongo claimed that he did not know why the Somali government ordered his exit from the country. He has been deputizing Mozambique-born Ambassador Francisco Madeira.

“The language used (in the expulsion letter) contains block phrases whose details and meaning I don’t know. I have no [known] reason [for the decision],” Mulongo said.

The Ugandan diplomat who has been serving as AMISOM deputy said he was in the dark about the Somali government order.

“I have no idea what this is about. I want to deal with facts, not rumors," he said.

In a communique to the African Union Mission in Addis Ababa, Somalia notified the union of its decision to eject Mulongo from the country in seven days and that he was no longer welcome in the Horn of Africa nation.

Somalia said Mulongo had been engaged ‘in activities incompatible with Amisom’s mandate and Somalia’s security strategy.’ Foreign Affairs Minister Mohamed Abdirizak followed up the statement with a tweet.

“The FGS will hold accountable AMISOM personnel, particularly those at the leadership level, who are expected to be beyond reproach in their integrity as they discharge their duty under the UN/AU mandate.”

Mulongo was picked as AMISOM deputy in August 2017 following his completion of one term as MP in Uganda between 2011 and 2016. The African Union Mission in Somalia is yet to issue a communication over the unprecedented expulsion.

For over a decade, Somalia has solely depended on the African Union for peace and stability. The country is struggling to keep Al-Shabaab militants at bay after years, but the union has significantly helped to contain the militants.

GAROWE ONLINE