Somalia: Farmaajo has outplayed himself [2 years became 19 days]

Today the Lower House of Parliament revoked the 12th April 2021 Presidential Extension without an election. The majority vote of the 1st May 2021 comes after heavy weaponry, soldiers on the streets and extensive actions made between militias in favour of the Ex(interim) President Mohamed Abdillahi Mohamed Farmaajo.

He had corned himself and lacking friends. That is why the Lower House was summoned and had to change it’s stance. The ex(interim) President had to fold as his cards was falling quickly during the last week. Since Sunday the 25th April.. the parties took the stalemate and electoral impasse to the streets. This have efficiently created tension, internally displaced people and ensured the mandate of the ex(interim) President to deteriorate.

That is tragic truth here. It is a one-man show that has sort of ended. The man who made it impossible to get into a election. The one guy who stopped all discussions and negotiations in consideration to the 17th September 2020 agreement, as a preparation to the up-coming election. That is what he did and he risked everything doing so. He ordered soldiers on the streets, raided other candidates homes and talked of “sovereignty” while doing it.

Now on the 1st May 2021 the “interim”, the “extension” and the “unelected” President is a reality. There is no official mandate anymore and the revocation of the 12th April 2021 should with immediate effect evict Farmaajo out of the Villa Somalia. He is no longer the President and hasn’t any sort of reason to live there.

Farmaajo has outplayed himself and he did it in only 19 days. The 2 year extension lasted only 19 days. That is failure and loss, if there ever was one. The ex(interim) has clearly failed his mission of being an unelected bureaucrat on the top.

He has now given the mission to Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble to direct preparations for the election. That is showing how humiliated he is… and Farmaajo isn’t a big-man. He has thwarted everything and nearly created an open war with the opposition. It was starting to look really hostile and there will be many hurdles from here.

The impasse and the manner of which the Villa Somalia has taken. Has surely created a lot of mistrust and felt filled with deceit. Therefore, don’t expect all FMS to suddenly jump onboard and needs to catered too. They feel betrayed already and have held meetings and Dhusamareeb conference was a farce.

The revocation of the 12th April 2021 extension is positive. The move of directing Roble is fine as well, but there is a lot to amend. The ex(interim) cannot run away from the chaos and havoc has thrown the Republic into. Just because he wanted to be an unelected head of state. It is not like his a believable character and a trustworthy individual now. He has shown his true character and what’s his willing to do to be in power.

This here is just another step of keeping him in office. As there is need for new electoral process and meetings. There is a need for new conferences and get everyone to agree on the way forward. That is something that will buy Farmaajo time. It will not happen over night and especially not after the last 19 days.

The ones celebrating. I would say it’s too early. It is just a speed-bump and there will be new technicalities and mechanisms used to trick the game. Don’t expect Farmaajo just to give up and run away. No, he intended to stay and there is nothing seemingly saying he will go now either.

Farmaajo just bought himself more time and wouldn’t be surprised if there will be more ways to postpone and ensure the election takes time to happen. The FGS and Villa Somalia have been reluctant. Therefore, it wouldn’t be shocking if it suddenly was stopped and nothing happen for days. Where no of the parties showed up and the mistrust would escalate further.

The ex(interim) has made this bed and now have to sleep in it. This stalemate has been deliberate and now the reality is for everyone to see. Farmaajo doesn’t care if people dies or burns, as long as he is the Commander-in-Chief. He doesn’t care if his soldiers shoots and scares several of neighbourhoods. That’s what’s he has shown the world and what levels he goes too stay in office. That is the sort of man he is. Peace.

African Union (AU): 32nd Meeting of the Coordination Committee (MOCC) – Press Release of the 32nd Meeting of the Coordination Committe (MOCC) on the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) – (29.04.2021)

Somalia: Statement by the Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia: Concerns over mass displacements in Mogadishu (28.04.2021)

Opinion: Farmaajo have unified the opposition [and lack strong allies]

In Mogadishu the tension and stalemate is created by the “Interim” Mohamed Abdillahi Mohamed Farmaajo. All of this is happening because of his actions. The use of weaponry, barricading and even sending brigades from other regions to boost his chances in the capital. This is happening while Federal Member States (FMS) isn’t supporting his extension anymore.

This is Jubaland, Puntland, Galmudug, Hirshabelle and Southwest states who are calling for an inclusive election immediately. Farmaajo is clearly losing it and not having the time of his life. The capital is a battlefield. People are fleeing from several of areas. The “Interim” needs to regain strength by flying in troops from elsewhere. His NISA director Fahad Yasin went to Ethiopia to get support from Addis Ababa, but the Villa Somalia wasn’t getting anything.

The National Salvation Front and Council of Presidential Candidates Union (C.P.C) are all together with the FMS now. There is even a National Liberation Movement established to stop Farmaajo. There is Somali National Army commanders and brigades who supports the opposition. The are police officers and commanders who follows ex-commander Sadiq John. Therefore, it is not like Farmaajo is getting stronger, but weaker with time.

The ones who have kept Farmaajo in office is Dafun and Gorgor. These two militias are the ones who are the keys to his power. They have been the ones who keeping him in office. These soldiers and brigades are the reason and the ones keeping him safe. While more and more of other police officers and soldiers are mutineers who doesn’t have the conscience to support Farmaajo.

The one term President have lost all of his leverage. The state is broke and international community have sanctioned it. The Federal Government of Somalia have lost its standing. The IC have been clear about their standing and the will for honouring the 17th September 2020 election accord. Still, the President haven’t honoured that or wanted do so. It seems to be a deliberate act to stall elections and get a transition or even a second term.

Farmaajo have lost a lot these last few days. He doesn’t have strength. The opposition have proven they can play within his game. Though some rumours are that Farmaajo is resigning tonight. Still, these days he will be remembered for being a gun-slinger and thinking he could run away from his ending of his term.

The “interim” President has used his leverage and supposed power, but lost it all. Farmaajo have outplayed himself and lost all legitimacy. Not that he had any after the ending of his term. Even if he got the Lower House to extend his term. That wasn’t a correct way to carry it out. This is why Farmaajo have unified the opposition and everyone else.

Farmaajo cornered himself and risked everything for the power of the office. Forgetting that power is given to him, but he tried to take it. That is not how this game is playing out. His office and role was as head of state. Still, this one is him being elected and represent the people of Somalia.

This year he thought he could circumvent that and not even try to follow guidelines or even negotiate planned elections. Where he stalled and didn’t try fix the impasse, because he wanted to reign without being elected. That is why none of the meetings, round-tables or whatever it was successful. The “interim” President wanted to rule without an official mandate, but a make-belief of the motion passed in the Lower House.

This week has proven his weakness, but also how dire it can become. As the opposition and the ones supporting Farmaajo went to war. They had skirmishes in Mogadishu taking various of districts and areas. There been bullets, heavy artillery and soldiers on the streets. Been raiding of homes and people running for shelter elsewhere. This all because one man wanted to rule without a mandate.

That is what we will remember Farmaajo for. Nothing he has done over the 4 years in office will really be remembered. That’s because he wanted his legacy to be these battles, the lack of dialogue and will to run an election. This is how Farmaajo will go out. He has tarnished his name and his achievements. Instead of creating stability and strengthening the state. Farmaajo has instead weaken the state, taken it for granted.

Farmaajo … you lost and you have unified all your enemies. That is bloody brilliant. Peace.

Somalia: Office of the Prime Minister – Press Release (27.04.2021)

Somalia: National Liberation Movement – Communique No. 01 (26.04.2021)

Somalia: Tension in Mogadishu after yesterday’s skirmishes

Yesterday was a bloody day where the opposition gained much ground and has barricaded the forces in support of Villa Somalia and “interim” President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo. Farmaajo have used his position to extend his term without an election. This is the reason for the election impasse and stalemate politically.

Yesterday was an culmination of the political play. The opposition together with armed forces in favour of them went into skirmishes across Mogadishu. There was both mutineers and loyal forces of the opposition in the streets. There was also police officers following the ex-police commanders Sadiq John as well. Therefore, it was an hectic front on both sides. As the Interim President was using Gorgor and Dafun.

Here are the recent updates from credible news sources:

Mogadishu today following last night’s deadly fighting between Somalia troops loyal to Farmajo & others loyal to opposition leaders. Opposition forces control some of the city’s main streets including Sayidka Junction near the presidential palace. At least 10 people killed” (Morad News, 26.04.2021).

A new contingent of Somalia military force angered by Farmajo’s term extension enter Mogadishu & Join opposition aligned troops in the capital’s northern neighborhoods. The troops reportedly vacated their bases in Rage-Ele district, Middle Shabelle region – Witnesses” (Morad News, 26.04.2021).

Major roads were blocked by pro-opposition soldiers following Sunday’s clashes as residents called on all parties to stop the fighting, have sympathy with the children and women in the capital Mogadishu” (Shabelle Media Network, 26.04.2021).

Leaders of the Union of Candidates are holding a Virtual Meeting with members of the international community in Somalia. The meeting is focusing on the situation in Somalia, which is on the brink of conflict between the opposing parties” (Garowe Online, 26.04.2021)

We know the loyal Prime Minister Mohamed Roble called for dialogue after yesterday’s action. That seems to come now that their hand is outplayed and the opposition been gaining ground. As they are not accepting the extension and not preparing for an election.

This is also showing how things has escalated as people have fled several parts of the city. As they were fearing for their lives as there was shelling, heavy artillery and soldiers on the streets. That must been a worry for anyone.

Just to prove their will to make a difference. The opposition are doing this today:

The Council of Presidential Candidates and the international community have reportedly convened a meeting at Mogadishu Airport. The conference will discuss how to calm tensions in the capital and resume stalled election dialogue” (The Kismayo Times, 26.04.2021).

They are clearly aiming for a move and a political change from the election impasse, which have been created deliberately by the “interim” President Farmaajo. Who tries to use all other means and have asked African Union to save him, but they have instead warned him. That’s why the tension is growing in Mogadishu and the costs are already in play.

Farmaajo should be careful. It is starting to boil over and that was visible yesterday. It has already cost lives… and the stakeholders should be cautious. There is also proven now that the Somali National Army (SNA) isn’t all behind Villa Somalia and his strength is weakening by the minute. Peace.

Somalia: Council of Presidential Candidates – Press Statement (25.04.2021)

Somalia: Ministry of Internal Security – Press Release (25.04.2021)

Somalia: Mogadishu … erupted into chaos and fighting across the capital…

Today there been battles in several parts of Mogadishu. There was earlier in the day reports of fighting in Hodan district. It is also reported of fighting in Karan district. Also reports of fighting in the K4 Junction and in Dabka Junction as well. “Several junctions, including Marinayo, Beyhani, Sana’a & Fagah under opposition control” (Somaliguardian, 25.04.2021). Therefore, plenty of areas of Mogadishu have seen fighting between government forces, which is the Gorgor and Dafun. While opposition militias are trying to overpower them as well. The latest this evening is that the Opposition Forces have taken control of Wabari Police Station.

Fighting is ongoing around near the statue of Sayid in Mogadishu, reports say that the troops who entered that area are led by a man named Ja’far. Jafar previously served as governor of Daynile” (Garowe Online, 25.04.2021).

Therefore, the Presidential Candidates and their allies. Combined with the mutineers in the Somali National Army (SNA) and the loyal police officers following ex-Police Commander Sadiq John has today fought back the armed forces of “interim” President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo. Farmaajo’s militias who has raided and gone after two candidates houses. These are Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Abdirahman Abdishakur. Clearly his targeting his opponents.

The latest reports are that Villa Somalia and the allies of the state are planning a social media blackout. They are planning to jam the phone-lines, stop the mobile data and block social media as well.

The opposition claims AMISOM is supplying ammunition to the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) Fahad Yassin, which have been used in today’s clashes in Mogadishu. However, that haven’t been verified. Just like the claims of Villa Somalia that Kenya and Djibouti is involved and interfering in “internal” matters in Somalia. Therefore, the whole situation is fluid and dire.

There is only use of force, ammunition and heavy artillery. This here is worrying as special trained forces are going after the opposition. While the state and Villa Somalia is planning to keep this happening in darkness.

We should be worried about the escalation in Mogadishu. This is all over the election impasse and stalemate, which has been created by default by Farmaajo. Who never settled or worked in accord with the 17th September 2020 accord/agreement. That he should have done, but now the weapons are on the streets instead. That’s all because of his instance to stay in office.

The ones paying the price is the citizens. Some was fleeing earlier in the day. As the protests and the escalated clashes across the city have been heard. Many has gone into hiding and trying to avoid the shelling and skirmishes. Clearly, the trained troops of Farmaajo have followed direct orders. While opposition have taken up their brigades as well.

This here is the first step towards a civil war. Unless, these gentlemen sit-down and settle their difference. Really to ensure further progression towards a credible election. However, at this point. Farmaajo isn’t interested in that and that’s why all the previous attempts failed as well. He just want to reign without a election and is happy about having an extension of two years given to him by the Lower House. Therefore, this is happening and the reason for the carnage happening today.

Mogadishu and Somalia deserves better than this. The citizens, the people and the proud nation deserves leaders serving them and not their own interests. Nevertheless, that is where we are and the inhabitant of Villa Somalia thinks he can shadow-play and use his minions to lie to the world. While sending forces to spread fear into the ones who challenge him. However, the world shouldn’t be fooled.

It is distressing and tragic outcome. That it has boiled down to do this. This is what the “interim” President wants and this is what he gets. It is blood, fatalities, injuries and internally displaced people. People living in fear and danger, because one man want to rule indefinitely. Peace.