No to extension, Somali PM says, leaves Farmaajo in the cold

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Somali Prime Minister has distanced himself from a term extension joining two more Federal Member States which were hitherto allied to the embattled outgoing president Mohamed Farmaajo in growing calls for a return to talks.

“As the program of my government that I read before the parliament, I am ready to conduct the election that was agreed on September 17, 2020,” the PM said shortly after Galmudug and HirShabelle states decamped Farmaajo’s side and called for the resumption of electoral talks.

Roble also welcomed the decisions of the two Federal Member States and called on the other regional governments and Banadir Regional Administrations ‘take part in the movement of peace and legal elections.’

Following the pronouncements, Villa Somalia announced that Farmaajo will be addressing the nation tonight on ‘latest developments in the country and the upcoming elections.’

The decisions come in the wake of displacements in Mogadishu following the outbreak of violence in the last three days. Several families fled the city Tuesday morning in fear of fighting as both the opposition and government forces took positions.

In his statement this evening, the PM appealed for calm and called on all armed groups to desist from violence and give room for dialogue.