Farmaajo on warpath with UAE over ‘interim’ remark

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The outgoing administration of Mohamed Farmaajo has hit back at the UAE over remarks by the Gulf nation terming his government ‘interim.

In a strongly-worded statement that did not mention names but was clearly directed at the UAE, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs lashed out at the Emirati regime for destabilisation in the region and supporting insurrections.

“We, therefore, deplore and warn against some of the misinformed and misleading statements that disregard facts and at times appear to be supporting insurrection, from some quarters, that are well known for their unceremonious acts in the region, falsely posing as the master of another nation’s future, in contradiction of the norms and principles of international law,” the statement read in part.

The Farmaajo administration broke ranks with UAE at the onset of the Gulf Crisis in mid-2017 and subsequently traded accusations over alleged support of Federal Member States (FMS) culminating in the withdrawal of UAE’smilitary support and training for Somalia in 2018.

While calling for dialogue and restraint in the ongoing political stalemate in Somalia, UAE Saturday referred to Farmaajo’s government as ‘interim’ attracting anger from Villa Somalia.

“ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation called upon the interim government and all parties to demonstrate the highest levels of restraint in order to achieve Somalia’s aspirations to build a secure and stable future for all,” the official state news agency, WAM reported.

The UAE also attracted rebuke from the outgoing Somali government when it referred to ‘excessive use of force against civilians’ during recent protests. The Federal Government has absolved itself of any wrongdoing despite the military firing live bullets at protestors on Friday.

The term of the current administration expired on February 8 in line with 91 of the Provisional Constitution.