Somalia’s Govt is ‘counting on’ Qatar to resolve standoff with opposition

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Qatar is playing a key role in the talks between the Federal Government of Somalia [FGS] and the opposition to defuse the political tension in the country, Garowe Online reports.

Doha sent a special envoy to Mogadishu last week, who sat down with the leadership of the Forum for National Parties [FNP], which brings together main political parties, two of them led by former leaders.

Reliable sources revealed to Garowe Online that the Qatari came by a plane that arrived in Mogadishu last week carrying humanitarian aid from the tiny Gulf nation to assist the flood victims in Beledweyne town.

The official whose name and title have not yet been disclosed help talks with the FNP leaders, including ex-leaders, Sheikh Sharif and Hassan Sheikh, discussing ways to end the standoff with Villa Somalia.

The head of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency [NISA], Fahad Yasin who maintains close relations with Doha, was part of the secret negotiations, in a mission to silence the dissenting voices.

Dahir held separate meetings with Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the leader of the newly established Forum for National Parties and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the 7th and 8th presidents of the Horn of Africa nation.

The talks came after Ahmed had vowed to expel the Government from Mogadishu if it does not stop the pattern of “oppression” against the opposition after blocking them from travelling to Beledweyne.

“This city was once ruled by militia groups. They were kicked out. Then came the Ethiopians & they were kicked out “Then came Al-Shabab and were removed. Is the Federal Government stronger? I swear to Allah, we will also remove them,” said Sheikh Sharif during a press conference in the capital last week.

Worried by these remarks and the deepening political tension between the FGS and opposition leaders, spy chief Fahad Yasin met with opposition leader Sharif Sheikh Nov. 14 at his residence in the capital.

It’s not clear if an agreement was reached.

Qatar has been seeking to gain influence in Somali politics since FGS’s diplomatic ties with UAE reached “lower-point” in early 2018 after a plane carrying $9.6M from Abu Dhabi seized at Mogadishu airport.

Somali PM Hassan Ali Khaire has this week paid a visit to Doha and held meetings with top officials following his return from Paris Peace Forum and high-level talks with EU leaders in Brussels. 

The United Arab Emirates said the cash was meant to support units of Somali National Army [SNA] and since then it halted military training missions in Mogadishu due to the move to take hold of the money.

GAROWE ONLINE