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




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.

Today the stakes of the prolonged elections stalemate is getting evident again. The “Interim” President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo who has made himself President for another two years without an election. This has tricked the status quo and the stakeholders. Where the current occupant of Villa Somalia keenly hoping to stay in power.
Farmaajo has certain factions of armed forces on his side. While the its now evident that the Somali National Army (SNA) have started a mutiny against him. There have been reports of open conflict and shooting in Mogadishu between the ones supporting the opposition and the ones behind Farmaajo.
That is how dire the situation has become. This is coming after African Union, United Nations Security Council and other International Stakeholders have said the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) should continue to negotiate and talks according to the 17th September 2020 elections accord. Which the Villa Somalia have had an impasse with and is ceasing to work accordingly. That’s why they initiated the term extension in the Lower House.
It is now so fickle that the opposition together with mutineers are demonstrating and civilians are fleeing as well. There are reports that the Turkish trained ‘Gorgor’ went to quell the demonstration and silence the demonstrations in Mirinya in Mogadishu today.
This is a bad precedence and its more worrying signs as well. As Somali Journalist Syndicate reported today:
“Newly trained Dufan force detained, beat and shot at Radio Hubal journalist Bashir Ali Shire who was live-reporting a violent protest and a gunfight in Karan district in Mogadishu.1 armed officer snatched Bashir’s phone and started kicking and beat with his gun until another officer with a balaclava arrived and shot 1 bullet at the journo which luckily missed him. According to Bashir, he was taken for interrogation & officers’ questions included one about his clan identity before he was freed without charge” (SJS, 25.04.2021).
Therefore, knowing everything that went down is sort of impossible. There is no clear indication of fatalities or possible deaths. As the gun-shots and the operations was active today.
Dufan and Gorgor is following the orders of the Interim President and there is fear for prolonged conflict in Mogadishu. As there is reinforcement on both sides. This here shows how bad the impasse is and what the sides are willing to do. As the President and the Opposition are willing to wage war against each other. Both having militias to fight their battles.
The international community and the AMISOM seems like bystanders to the whole thing. While Al-Shabaab might tool-up and get stronger in the power-vacuum. The losers are the citizens and the ones living in Somalia. As they are pawns in the chess-game of the big man who has brigades following their every move.
This is what happens when Farmaajo trusts his armed forces more than the stakeholders. When he can try to use international interference of a sovereign and downplay his own agenda. He is blaming Kenya and Djibouti for interfering, but in the end… it’s all his fault and his inability to resolve the matters before the end of his term. He had the time and the conferences to settle it all. However, he neglected to do so, because it was in his interest to prolong his term without an election. That’s why we are here today. Which is a tragic result.
It will not end here and possible cost more people’s lives. Stop the ordinary bustle and hustle of Mogadishu. Silence the citizens and weaken the state further. Farmaajo wants to become the personification of the state. He wants to be the state and willing to die on that hill for it. That is how it looks.
Mogadishu today is only showing the true face of Farmaajo and what the detractors thinks are the only way out. As the FGS and Villa Somalia is not willing to bicker on the two year extension. Where they are proving no direct proof of results or announcing proper elections. Only giving Farmaajo more power without holding elections. That is why people calling him illegitimate and the ex-President.
Farmaajo is now using two trained militias, the Gorgor and Dufan to keep the balance of power. That is not out of popularity or his own power, but the way he can use force to be in office. That is the sort of man he has become. All the hope of the previous election is down the drain and only his token allies is behind him. While others have already turned on him and awaiting his fall. Peace.


A career diplomat and a man who is controversial. Is not the sort of figure you send to fix or amend issues. An outspoken and ideological man like Jeffrey Feltman will only configure the conflicts and the situations at hand for the benefits of American interests. That is what he has done in his position most of his life.
Except for his stint under Ban Ki-Moon in United Nations and prolonged under Antonio Guterres. He has been a career diplomat across the Northern Africa and Middle East. His role in Lebanon and elsewhere is where his most noteworthy from.
Feltman is a person that take sides. When he actively takes sides in divided landscapes as a senior career diplomat. What will he do as Horn of Africa Envoy? I doubt he will wind beneficial middle-ground or emphasis on the common grounds between the parties. He is afraid of the Iranian and possible Turkish involvement in the region. As he also seeks to promote and secure the American interests first.
That means we know that this Special Envoy will be partial and be affected by his allegiance. He will not come with a clean slate or be working accordingly to the problems at hand. This man will not solve the issues or come with clear mediation. No, this man will further U.S. interests. These words are taken from Karim Makdisi who teaches at the American University in Beirut. Who assessed Feltman’s role in the area as an ambassador.
When you are known for things like this and going into the Horn of Africa at his very moment. The person should be less questionable. Joe Biden appointed him since his been a person trusted in the Obama Administration and has a diplomatic record spanning over years. This is a token recognition of that. However, his still a man peculiar fella who suddenly going into a mine-field.
A person who believes in “non-interfering” but interfering to avoid “enemies” interfering. Therefore, that split-personality trait doesn’t make much sense either. Except he lives in a cold-war paradigm with Iran. Which clearly could be shifted to anywhere in the world.
Feltman will pick sides whether it is in Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia or Sudan. This man will also pin-point and look after the U.S. interests. That is why this man isn’t just a random a dude travelling and taking a safari. No, this man will not be the best diplomat. A man who could easily ask for a military government in Lebanon (wikileaks leaked cables proved that). He could easily assess a situation and confess to the sustainability now. Just to buy peace and the comfort of having a U.S. ally on the throne.
As a Special Envoy he is supposed to mediate in Tigray conflict, which has been going on since 4th November 2020. There he will by default have to intervene with the Tripartite Alliance and get vouched by them for talks. However, Abiy haven’t been in favour of any real talks or outsiders looking into it. As that would devastate his image and tarnish his “reformist” mind.
The Special Envoy is also supposed to mediate in the Al-Fashaqa triangle. Where the Sudanese have sent more forces and secured their border points. While the Ethiopian with their Tripartite Alliance have entered in here as an escalation of the Tigray conflict. Abiy have held small talks with Al-Burhan, but nothing sincere. It seems likely that the Special Envoy needs a miracle and I wonder, if he would booster the new ally in Khartoum or try to appease Addis Ababa. Hard to know, but with the likes of Feltman will have to be calm and figure out what matters here.
The last piece of trouble ahead is the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the Nile dialogue between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan. The three has held negotiations and talks, but haven’t landed on a agreement to settle the shared water. This here is both a talk of sovereign use of water sources and how that will affect the up-stream nations. This is why the Special Envoy have to dwindle into colonial agreements and newer ones as well. While being able to play ball with Cairo, Khartoum and Addis Ababa. His career task alone to finalize and be able to please all parties. Someone has to give, but we can wonder who will do that.
The GERD negotiations and talks alone will be more hostile. As the Ethiopian claims in the Al-Fashaqa region/triangle and their skirmishes inside Sudan. The relations has soured over this. That will not help the Special Envoy before even entering. As well, as his intervention or possible mandate hasn’t been granted by any of the parties involved. Who hasn’t a favourable view of American touches here. As the previous administration was taken Egypt’s side and this feeling might linger on.
Therefore, the likes of a Special Envoy in the first place is a noble idea of Biden. Nevertheless, taking a career diplomat should been seen as a positive. However, the history of Feltman and his manners. He can be seen as a spinster for American interests over the needs to salvage peace. This man isn’t the one who should have been sent. Maybe, Biden should have tried to get someone appointed through the African Union or boost IGAD itself. Even though these mechanisms are weak, but joint ventures with United Nations has helped in the past. Therefore, if Biden and UNSC had intervened with a UN-AU prospects into both Tigray, GERD and Ethiopian-Sudan tensions. The possible outcome could have been better and properly monitored by the International community.
However, a Feltman will only serve Washington D.C. and their needs. While being a token American interfering for these interests. He will not be there to be a peacemaker. Just like Abiy isn’t a man of peace either by any stretch of imagination. Al-Burhan and the Sovereign Council is also military men. When there is very civilians and more soldiers on the ground. There is little stopping more conflict. There is a need for mediation and talks between the leaders who orders the battalions.
Nevertheless, Feltman isn’t the man and just by the mere history. It is a flawed enterprise to send him now. Especially, when I cannot see or heard any of the parties have really asked of this of late. The need for local solutions is clear. There is a need for salvaging hope in the midst of the conflict. Feltman isn’t the man to interfere here.
He is getting a false start, as he comes as a forced surprise on all stakeholders and governments. It is not like he has been vetted or accepted by anyone else than Biden and Blinken. They have handpicked him and vouched for him. Now, he has to drop his credentials at all the mentioned capitals and after that pick a leaf for possible talks about the advanced weaponry and silence them as well.
I wouldn’t want to be in Feltman’s shoes at this point in time. First his not the man for the job. No matter about his long career. The reputation he has follows him and makes him questionable at best. Secondly, he has a mandate from Washington D.C. but not from the any of the sovereign nations his supposed to interfere in. Third, the U.S. isn’t that favourable or a “neutral” in these conflicts. Therefore, he has throw a curveball to be able to wing it here.
Feltman is in battles where he cannot win and I cannot see it coming Unless, there is a sudden miracle or a moment of nostalgia … where they changes their stances and gives way. However, that happens in movies, but not in the real world. Peace.



