Top-of-state crisis worries and annoys Somalia's partners

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (l).

Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble (d).

AFP - YASUYOSHI CHIBA, ABDIRAHMAN YUSUF

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

Funny atmosphere in Mogadishu on Monday, after President Mohamed Farmajo announced on the night of Sunday to Monday December 27 the suspension of Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, following allegations of "corruption".

The two men have been in conflict for months over the issue of the electoral cycle, still at a standstill.

But the head of government refused to comply and claimed that the head of state had lost his constitutional prerogatives.

Somalia's partners express their concern and are annoyed by the situation. 

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Somalia has a two-headed executive and its two heads are now back to back. 

A few hours after being suspended from his functions by the head of state on Monday, Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble returned to his offices, surrounded by members of his cabinet, the head of the army and the military, while combatants worshipers showed up in town on their pick-ups. 

He addressed his compatriots to denounce an "

" the government.

"The elections, yes, a coup d'etat, no" he hammered, describing Mohamed Farmajo as "a

" and asking the heads of the security forces to take their orders from him, and no from the president.

The latter, barely a stone's throw from the prime minister, seems not to have left his official residence, Villa Somalia, whose accesses were guarded by armored vehicles.

In a statement, Somalia's partners, some twenty countries and international organizations, expressed their concern and demanded restraint from the Somali leaders, urging them to " 

", and calling once again for the advancement of the electoral cycle in the country. 

In a joint statement issued tonight, # Somalia's international partners have called for restraint and dialogue, and for renewed focus on the country's #elections.

Read more here: https://t.co/ecUrlR3Oqf pic.twitter.com/dMNUfnANW7

- UNSOM (@UNSomalia) December 27, 2021

For its part, the American diplomacy raised the tone: "

" tweeted the African Affairs office of the State Department, "

”. 

The US is prepared to act against those who obstruct Somalia's path to peace.

The attempted suspension of @MohamedHRoble is alarming & we support his efforts for rapid & credible elections.

All parties must desist from escalatory actions & statements.

https://t.co/gQwkRhGvY8

- Bureau of African Affairs (@AsstSecStateAF) December 27, 2021

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• Somalia

• Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo