Somalia: Self-exiled opposition leader returns home

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MOGADISHU, Somalia - Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, a former planning minister and outspoken government critic has returned to Mogadishu on Monday amid the political turmoil, Garowe Online reports.

Several members of Somali Federal Parliament, including Ahmed Moalim Fiqi and cheering supporters, welcomed the Self-exiled opposition leader at Mogadishu's Aden Adde International Airport.

"I wish to express my profound gratitude to the people of Mogadishu for their warm reception and huge welcoming," he said in a Twitter post.

Warsame, who is the chair of the Wadajir political party said he plans to hold a peaceful rally in Mogadishu this month to honour five of his bodyguards killed in an overnight NISA raid on his residence on December 17 last year.

- The impeachment motion against the president -

The former presidential candidate accused the government of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed of accused of “failing to deliver” any of all promises he made during his 2017 election campaign.

He added that Farmajo is seeking to return the country to the dark old days.

"As Wadajir party, we support the impeachment motion against the president by the lawmakers. We say the speaker "uphold the law" and we stand with you," said Warsame while speaking to his supporters.

Continuing, he blamed Farmajo's administration for oppressing the opposition figures by using its security forces and abuses against the journalists working in Mogadishu, the Somali capital.

Warsame who is a fearless prominent politician was a candidate in February 2017 election won by Farmajo.

His return coincided with street protests in the capital on Monday against impeachment of President Farmajo by 92 lawmakers, who accused him of grossly violating the constitution and of abuse of power.

The shock move to impeach the president added fuel to the fire of an already deepening political crisis between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States in the Horn of Africa country.

GAROWE ONLINE

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