Farmaajo’s bid to chair poll talks rejected by all FMS leaders

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU:  Attempts by outgoing president Mohamed Farmaajo to chair the upcoming electoral talks hit a snag after all the Federal Member State leaders including former allies strongly objected to the move.

Sources privy to the talks told Goobjoog News Farmaajo, who handed over the responsibility of leading the talks to PM Mohamed Roble early this month had reversed his decision and sought to take back the task.

However, sources said, all the FMS leaders and factions allied to the PM blocked the move. Farmaajo lost local and international confidence following his attempts to extend his stay in office through a unilateral Lower House vote.

The international community and local leaders have on the other hand expressed confidence in the PM and warned against spoilers. The UN, AU, EU and regional block all of which have been against term extension said in a joint statement Friday they would support the PM in leading the talks.

“[We] Express full support for the Prime Minister’s convening of a summit to resume dialogue; call upon the leaders of the Federal Government of Somalia and all the Federal Member States to participate in the summit in good faith and without preconditions,” the joint statement read in part.

The quartet also encouraged ‘participants to work towards a consensual agreement on the implementation of the 17 September Agreement, including the 16 February recommendations of the Baidoa Technical Committee, which form a strong basis for the holding of elections without delay and with a clear timeline.’

Meanwhile, the talks are expected to open today in Mogadishu following the arrival of all FMS leaders in Mogadishu.