Somalia: Ikran Tahlil' mother defends PM Roble, accuses Farmaajo of "obstruction"

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo has yet again been subjected to criticism, just moments after he defended embattled spy chief Fahad Yasin, who was fired by Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble.

Roble, who took over in October last year, replaced Fahad Yasin with Lt General Bashir, just hours after he instructed Yasin to prepare a detailed report over the death of Ikran Tahlil, a junior employee within the intelligence team.

Although it's not clear why Roble couldn't wait for Yasin to table the report, the controversial NISA Director had come out guns blazing, insisting that he could only table the report on Tahlil's death if President Farmaajo summoned a National Security Council meeting.

Last week, the agency confirmed the death of Ikran Tahlil, almost two months after her disappearance, blaming Al-Shabaab in the process. However, the militants have distanced themselves from the death, with the family also "noting" foul play.

On Monday, Ms. Qali Mohamud, the mother of the slain NISA agent, asked Farmaajo not to obstruct PM Mohamed Hussein Roble's efforts to find justice for her daughter after NISA reported her death last week.

"Mr. President, you have children. Take me like you," she said, adding that: "I had personally asked the PM to give us answers, we should give him humble time to conclude the matter without unnecessary disturbance."

Footage obtained by Garowe Online had established that the officer was bundled into a vehicle suspected to belong to NISA, just near the headquarters, in what looked like an abduction.

President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo had responded to Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble's decision to replace Fahad Yasin, terming the move "illegal and unconstitutional". This showcased the strained relationship between the two top leaders.

"The Commander of the National Security and Intelligence Agency, Mr. Fahad Yassin Haji Dahir, is instructed to remain serving as the leader of the National Security and Intelligence Agency, in accordance with the Constitution and the Presidential Decree," he said in a statement.

"The National Security and Intelligence Agency are instructed to submit before the National Security Council meeting the expected detailed report at the time of the first meeting of the National Security Council."

In his parting shot, the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia instructed Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble and the Council of Ministers to effectively fulfill their responsibility to complete the electoral process.

The statement didn't show sympathy to the deceased's family, a move that has widely been condemned. Already, the Union of Presidential Candidates, Jubaland, and former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud have condemned Farmajo's move.

GAROWE ONLINE