US calls on Somalia's Parliament to annul president's term extension

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The State Department has called on the outgoing Somali President and Parliament to take immediate action to invalidate the 12 April illegal two-year term extension bill.

In a statement, the US government welcomed a decision by a host of leaders to reject term extension for outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, which has raised concerns and anxiety in the fragile democracy, which has been struggling with instability for decades.

Hirshabelle, Southwest, and Galmadug presidents, who had been staunch supporters of Farmajo, and who had endorsed Lower House's decision to add government two more years, rescinded their decision in a surprise move on Tuesday.

The US now wants Farmajo and parliament to immediately withdraw the extension and allow dialogue to proceed on the basis of the September 17 pre-election deal. Parliament is set to sit on Saturday where Farmajo will have an opportunity to issue a statement.

"We commend Prime Minister Roble and the Federal Member State leaders for rejecting a mandate extension. We urge Somalia’s national and Federal Member State leaders to meet immediately to finalize a consensus-based electoral model and hold parliamentary and presidential elections as soon as possible on the basis of the September 17 agreement," tread the statement.

"All leaders must set aside their political aspirations and differences for the good of the Somali people and negotiate in good faith without preconditions and with a willingness to compromise," added the statement attributed to Ned Price, the official spokesperson.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble met the Union of Presidential Candidates [CPC] and a section of Villa Somalia allied leaders where matters of security and elections were discussed in length.

And the US now wants security forces and other armed groups to stand down and allow dialogue to prevail. This comes after a gunfight in the capital Mogadishu, which left at least four people dead over the weekend.

"We also call on Somalia’s security forces and all armed groups to stand down and allow political dialogue to resume in an atmosphere free from violence and intimidation. Continuing conflict will only serve to worsen conditions for the people of Somalia."

The US is a key partner of Somalia in the fight against the terrorist groups and has been training special forces known as Danab, who are actively involved in the counter-terrorism operations. 

GAROWE ONLINE