Somalia: NSF calls to hold Farmajo accountable for failed elections

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Calls are growing louder from an alliance of opposition and two Federal States in Somalia to hold outgoing president Farmajo accountable for his outrageous actions that led Somalia to miss key election deadlines.

In an open letter to the international community, Somali National Salvation Forum accused Farmajo of failing to lead a consensus-based electoral process that is legitimate, fair, and inclusive during his tenure.

NSF said Farmajo has undermined every effort to find a solution to the current electoral stalemate in Somalia, recalling his exit from the fourth-round talks between FGS-FMS in Dhusamareb last February.

“It would be very difficult to engage a peaceful dialogue unless Farmajo is held accountable to his outrageous actions of aborting election to happen,” reads the NSF letter in part.

In addition, the NSF which consists of presidential candidates, two Federal States, and Senate speakers said Farmajo’s unilateral call for the 5th meeting is aimed at disrupting Int’l partners’ efforts for inclusive talks.

The president whose term ended on 8th February 2021 has called for a meeting on March 22 as the partners are making efforts to create a common ground for a summit to be held in the Airport facility.

"We affirm that he [Farmajo] has no credibility to lead the electoral process and has lost convening authority and trust," said NSF, adding that Farmajo remains the main obstacle towards peaceful transparent, and inclusive elections. 

The leaders of the five Federal States are in Mogadishu for days to attend an international partner mediated conference in the airport to iron out the impasse between the FGS and FMS over the election.

Security

The outgoing president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has dispatched additional troops to the conflict-hit Ged in the past two days, fueling the tension in the border region which is a flashpoint of the poll crisis.

NSF blamed Farmajo for using the national army for personal and political gains rather than fighting against Al-Shabaab, the biggest threat to the country’s security and stability.

Moreover, the term-ended President handed over Mogadishu airport security to a notorious city’s police chief Sadak John who led deadly attacks against the opposition in the past acting on Farmajo order.

The new move is intended to deploy the Turkish-trained Haram’ad police personnel who are loyal to Farmajo in Aden Abdulle International airport in an attempt to daunt a successful meeting to happen.

The deployment of the special police unit to the airport warned to spark a clash with troops protecting the presidents of Puntland and Jubaland who are staying in the compound which is under AU troops guard.

NSF sent the letter to UN chief Antonio Guterres; the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken; First Secretary of State and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab; High Representative of the European Union Joseph Borrell; African Union Chairperson Moussa Mahamat; Executive Secretary of IGAD Workneh Gebeyehu; OIC Secretary-General Dr. Yousef Bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen; and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit.

GAROWE ONLINE