Somalia: An assassination attempt today at ex-President Hassan Sheik Mohamud

I wish that we had been able to hold full democratic elections of one person one vote across Somalia, but because of unavoidable circumstances, we are ending up with an indirect electoral process. But let me underline that our aim is to ensure a smooth, peaceful and inclusive electoral process that will lead to a secure and democratic transition in November, with no extension of the current government’s mandate. This will constitute a first step towards the implementation of the one person one vote mechanism by 2020” – Hassan Sheik Mohamud to Newsweek (Conor Gaffey – ‘Exclusive: Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Tells Newsweek How He Will Destroy Al-Shabab’ 29.09.2016, Newsweek).

Today near Banadir Court in Hamar Weyne the convoy of Ex-President Hassan Sheik Mohamud was targeted and there was shots fired by Somali forces. This was happening as the ex-President was going to attend a reconciliation meeting.

Earlier this year, government militias and troops have raided his home as well. Therefore, this isn’t anything new, which is occurring on the regular now.

This is maybe Interim-President Farmaajo’s way of proving his point to the former President. As a reminder of who is still in-charge and has the power. While his Prime Minister Roble is getting the credit for setting up a time-frame and a election road-map. Which is still in the same manner as previous ones.

The government of Farmaajo isn’t able to fulfil the dream of the ex-President to have one person one vote system in Somalia. It’s still based on delegates and the elected MPs will vote for who become the President. This isn’t universal suffrage, but more of the same.

The current President haven’t delivered just like predecessor didn’t, but at least to his effort was a steady transition. Which this President will not be remembered for, as the current interim-President has tried to be unelected and push for a further extension. That clearly backfired and now we are seeing a new process.

However, the guns has been silent after skirmishes in the capital in late April. Now we are seeing they are returning, as the parties are meeting and ensuring their next steps ahead of the election. The interim-President should be more careful. He has already targeted to demote and investigate several who took part in April skirmishes. Therefore, we know there actions made and it’s questionable indeed.

Prime Minister Roble have to carry this and Farmaajo can be devious in the background. Today’s news and reports are worrying. It could have gone really bad and that could have escalated things further. Instead of going forward on the momentum of the 27th May 2021 Agreement. Peace.

Mali: Coordination des Mouvements de l’Azawad (CMA) – Session Extraordinaire du Comite Directeur – Declaration finale (31.05.2021)

ECOWAS: Communique – Extraordinary Summit on the Political Situation in Mali (30.05.2021)

Mali: Declaration du Conseil National de Transition Relatitive a la Situation Politique du Mali (28.05.2021)

Mali: Conseil National de la Jeunesse du Mali (CNJ-MALI) – Communique No. 001 (27.05.2021)

Somalia: IGAD Welcomes the Successful Conclusion of the FGS-FMS Summit (27.05.2021)

Mali: «Sauvons la Democratie des Putshistes» – Communique No 2 – Le Collectif exige depart des militaires aux front et le retablissment du President et le Premier ministre (26.05.2021)

Opinion: Col. Goïta selfish act is exposing Macron’s hypocrisy

The Vice-President of the Transition and Colonel Assimi Goïta who has been in-charge of two coups in Bamako within a year. Is now getting critical statements and condemnations from across the board. The French President Emmanuel Macron even condemned him, but just the other day he accepted the coup d’etat and second generation dictator General Mahamat Kaka Déby Itno. Who took power after his father in Tchad. Clearly, that’s cool to the French, but not Goïta’s selfish act in Mali.

That is a double standard and shows how distasteful the West can be to governments and regimes. Where the West can support certain dictators, but expect others to act differently. That is happening here. As Macron could sit and support Gen. Kaka. He could bash in the glory and be directly supporting his new junta regime in N’Djamena. However, his not accepting the moves of the junta in Bamako.

Yes, Colonel Goïta did a selfish act, which came to into force, when Prime Minister announced his new cabinet without having it agreed with the ones who initiated the coup in August 2020. That’s why this has happened and transpired. This is why the civilian leaders and the small fraction of politicians given transitional mandates is now arrested. Because, these leaders didn’t communicate or get it accepted by the FAMa leadership. Which is the ones who had given them power in the first place. None of the leaders was elected, but all selected.

That’s why the condemnation and fury seems to be shallow. Yes, Mali’s current leadership is already a junta and was based on military leaders. There was stipulated moves of transition, but they were in a fragile state already. The colonels and leaders of the CNSP could easily interfere and have their people in-charge. Now, that the transitional leaders didn’t listen to the CNSP or former coup-makers.

Now, the same leader who toppled Keita is now showing his fierce force and not accepting to be muffled. Goïta have already once gotten away and gotten a high ranking title. Where they were able to first follow the demonstrations and the popular protests of last year against the government. While taking more power and securing himself a viable position. That has been done now and as long as the transition persisted the IC would have been cool with it.

Now, he and his comrades took their hand in the cookie jar again. This time they did it without any popular protest, but because they didn’t get their will in the newly announced cabinet. That’s why Macron and others is condemning it. Though, they accepted the same act in Tchad. Yes, in Tchad the President for Life got his battle-wound on the battle-field and died later. Still, it is not like Gen. Kaka is running the nation, because of his popularity or his political programme. No, his legitimized by the same dude that is dismissing the changes made by col. Goïta.

It is so easy to see the hypocrisy here. It stinks and it’s not cool. This is disgraceful and not how things are supposed to be. The French President should be able to be consistent. However, that is too much to ask of the patriotic and imperialistic French. They got to support President-for-Life all across the continent like Biya, Bongo and Gnassingbe. The French just cannot help themselves, but they thrive on the reigns of these gentlemen.

That’s why I have hard time believing or trusting the condemnation of Macron. This is because his only interested in the French investments and profitability in Mali. He doesn’t care about democracy or rule of law. If the French Republic did believe in this things. They wouldn’t support dictators and give them legitimacy like they constantly. So, him questioning Goïta at far-fetched in one way.

Yes, Goïta is wrong in what his doing. His doing this for selfish reasons. Just like Macron is doing what he does for his selfish reasons. Still, Goïta does this to prove a point, while Macron is just a hypocrite.

The French better grand-stand their values and believes. Before throwing the book at the likes of Goïta. The are enough warlords and dictators the French is blindly supporting. So, it is weird that they have trouble with one more junta under their portfolio. Peace.

Mali: Union pour la Republique et la Democratie (URD) – Communique de l’Union pour la Republique la Democratie (URD) – (25.05.2021)

Mali: Communique de Presse No. 18 – Du Bureau Executif de l’Union Nationale de Travailleurs du Mali (UNTM) – Declaration de l’Union Nationale des Travailleurs du Mali (25.05.2021)