Somali president calls for elections in bid to ease tensions
Wednesday April 28 2021
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Somalia s President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed called early Wednesday for elections and a return to dialogue after the extension of his mandate by two years sparked the country s worst political violence in years.
The president, best known by his nickname Farmaajo, addressed the nation at around 1am local time after hours of anticipation, with Mogadishu on a knife s edge as government troops and pro-opposition soldiers beefed up their positions and civilians fled their homes.
The rival sides exchanged gunfire on Sunday in an eruption of long-simmering tensions sparked by the delay of February elections and Farmaajo s extension of his mandate earlier this month.
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.
Amisom halts handover plan in Somalia as poll fuels clan politics
Monday April 26 2021
Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Burundi have all contributed troops to African Union Mission in Somalia. PHOTO | FILE
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The African Union will retain a grip on Somalia’s security apparatus following fears that the country was retreating to clan politics over an electoral impasse.
The African Union Peace and Security Council, at a virtual meeting last week on Thursday, condemned President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo’s endorsement of an extension of term passed by the Lower House, and said it will monitor troop movements in Somalia through the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom).