Saturday October 2, 2021
Mogadishu (HOL) - The international community has called on Somalia's two top leaders to reconcile their differences and work towards a mediated solution to their political fallout.
President Farmajo and PM Roble have been locked in a bitter constitutional struggle since early September that has created divisions within Somalia's security and intelligence apparatus.
In a press statement released on Friday, the international community expressed concern over the ongoing political uncertainty, which increases the risk of further delays in Somalia's electoral process.
"Nevertheless, partners remain concerned that the core issues have not been resolved, despite over two weeks of mediation efforts. This ongoing political uncertainty has increased the risk of further delays to the electoral process and led to confusion over the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Security (MoIS) and National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), whose effectiveness is vital to combating Al-Shabaab and maintaining the security situation in the country."
"International partners urge the President and Prime Minister to reach an agreement as soon as possible, to maintain focus on the implementation of the 17 September 2020 and 27 May 2021 electoral agreements and to ensure that key security institutions (MoIS and NISA) are headed by able and respected leaders, especially during the electoral period."
The statement was signed by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, European Union, Finland, Germany, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Ireland, Italy, Kenya, League of Arab States, Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, United Nations.
The statement from Somalia's international partners comes as the latest round of negotiations, mediated by the Galmudug and Southwest regional governments, collapsed last week. Galmudug's state minister, Ahmed Shire Falagle, said that Galmudug would not be a part of future mediation efforts.