US issues travel advisory against Somalia
Tuesday April 27 2021
Personnel of the Somali military force supporting anti-government opposition leaders are stationed on a street in Mogadishu on April 25, 2021. PHOTO | AFP
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The United States has warned its citizens against travelling to Somalia following violence that erupted in the capital Mogadishu on Sunday.
Following clashes on Sunday, pitting clan militia groups against soldiers of the federal government, the US state department issued a statement on Monday saying that Somalia remains “a dangerous” place for its citizens.
It also noted rising incidents of improvised explosive devices (IED) attacks and suicide missions.
“The security situation has deteriorated in the last few months. March saw the highest number of improvised explosive device (IED) attacks in Mogadishu since September 2019,” the statement reads.
Somalia PM calls for dialogue to ease political tension
Tuesday April 27 2021
A bonfire is set on a street during the protest against Somalia s President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, alias Farmaajo, in Mogadishu on April 25, 2021. PHOTO | AFP
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Somalia’s Prime Minster Mohamed Hussein Roble has called for dialogue to avert further armed confrontation, just two days after clashes broke out in the capital Mogadishu.
After meeting members of the civil society, the premier urged all sides to refrain from acts of violence.
On Sunday, armed men in military uniforms occupied parts of the northern suburbs of Mogadishu, challenging the government’s security personnel. They declared support for the opposition groups against President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo.
The East African
Friday March 05 2021
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Talks between the Somali government and opposition presidential candidates have collapsed, but some progress in the negotiations has resulted in relative calm in the past few days, Prime Minister Mohamed Roble said Friday.
The government will continue holding talks on the electoral process to implement the pre-election agreement, which was reached on September 17 last year, with leaders of the federal member states, the PM said in a statement.
The negotiations collapsed Thursday evening after the opposition requested to be included in future election talks, he said, noting that some concessions were made following rounds of talks.
The East African
Thursday February 11 2021
Sheikh Sharif Ahmed (centre) and other opposition presidential aspirants speak to journalists in Mogadishu, Somalia. PHOTO | COURTESY
Summary
Group wants talks held on their terms, including that President Farmaajo attends as a candidate and not as a sitting head of state.
On Tuesday, Farmaajo had called for a meeting of all federal state leaders to be held on February 15 in Garowe, Puntland.
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Somalia’s opposition groups have called for an urgent meeting with President Mohamed Farmaajo and other stakeholders in an attempt to resolve the electoral impasse that saw the country miss key poll deadlines.