Resign and head for campaigns, PM Roble tells Farmaajo
GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Step aside and join the campaign trail, Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Roble told outgoing President Mohamed Farmaajo in one of the fiercest exchanges amid a fast escalating situation in the capital Mogadishu.
Speaking from his office where he had been barred from accessing by Farmaajo allied forces Monday morning, Roble said he was still in charge of the elections and warned security forces that they are only answerable to the Council of Ministers and not ‘former President.
His office had earlier referred to Farmaajo as an ‘immediate former president’. Roble described his blocking in the morning as an ‘attempted’ coup echoing remarks by former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who termed it an ‘attempted military coup’.
Roble said ‘yes to elections, no to coup’.
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Roble who has been feuding with Farmaajo over the elections stood ground that he was in charge of the elections and that the National Consultative Council meeting with Federal Member State leaders will proceed. Only Jubaland’s Ahmed Madobe and his Puntland ally Abdullahi Deni had by Sunday evening confirmed attendance.
Farmaajo’s ally in South West state, Abdiasis Lafta Gareen said he will only be attending a meeting called by Farmaajo.
The escalation of exchanges between the two leaders has attracted calls for a reprieve from the international community and local leaders. The US, Britain and Italy have since called for de-escalation and so have a host of local leaders.