Somalia: Galmadug's outgoing president agrees to handover power

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Former Galmadug President Ahmed Duale Gelle alias Haaf has agreed to hand over power, multiple reports indicate, in a move that could end a protracted impasse in Dhusamareb.

Since last year, Galmadug state has been struggling with internal squabbles among top politicians, a move that saw President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo accused of fueling "crisis" to accomplish "transient political" gains.

But early this week, Duale arrived in Dhusamareb, the regional administrative capital of Galmadug, where he spent a night at Gelinsor. It was the first time he was meeting the newly elected administration.

The former president met the new President Ahmed Abdi Kariye alias Qoor Qoor along with several top government officials, who escorted him to Dhusamareb, sources said.

According to reports, Duale was "warmly received" before meeting top government officials. Later, the two addressed reporters in which he "wished new leaders all the best" as they formally assumed power.

Haaf, reports indicate, said he accepted to handover power since his "concerns had been addressed" adding that "for us to move forward, we need close mutual cooperation" from among leaders.

In February, Duale rejected the outcome of local polls, arguing that his term should have ended in 2021. He first took over in 2017 and he has been blamed for failing to defeat Al-Shabaab and unite rival Galmadug sides.

Despite protest by major contestants in February polls, the electoral commission declared Qoor Qoor as the winner, precipitating deadly fighting between a local militia and Somali National Army [SNA]

At least 20 people were killed when clashes erupted between Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama'a [ASWJ], a moderate Sufi Muslim group, with Somali National Army [SNA], during a battle that lasted for over 12 hours, officials had said.

Mohamed Shakir, the leader of the group and the spiritual leader Moalim Mohamud Hassan, were temporarily arrested after their fighters surrendered to SNA. They have since fled to the Middle East.

Donald Yamamoto, the US Ambassador to Somalia, had earlier warned against "violence and intimidation" when the lawmakers gathered to pick a new leader in February, before congratulating the winner.

"It is the responsibility of everyone to avoid the threat and or use of violence," US said. "To that end, we congratulate the newly elected President of Galmudug State, Ahmed Abdi."

But in a statement, Forum for National Parties [FNP], an opposition outfit, accused Yamamoto of "endorsing fraud" in Somalia following the polls.

Yamamoto, FNP had argued, "unwisely legitimized fraudulent and manifestly corrupt electoral process bereft of inclusivity contrary to the spirit of democracy."

Duale's move could be seen as a major victory for Farmajo, who had been accused of "imposing" Qoor Qoor on the people of Galmadug. For months now, normalcy has been restored in the state.

The opposition parties have been accusing Farmajo of "plot" to overthrow regional leaders as part of his strategy to win December polls. Somalia is expected to hold elections later this year.

GAROWE ONLINE