The absence of President Said Abdullahi Deni and President Ahmed Islam Madobe of Puntland and Jubbaland respectively from the Dhusamareb talks has not gone down well with the US.
Ambassador Donald Yamamoto, US’s representative to Somalia, has expressed the United States’ displeasure at the absence of the two key Federal Member States at the talks.
Only President Abdiaziz Lafta-Gareen of the Southwest state, President Mohamed Abdi Waare of HirShabelle, and President Ahmed Abdi Kariye of Galmudug are at the meeting.
The leaders are holding talks on the country’s upcoming polls with President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo of the Federal Government of Somalia.
The United States plays a crucial role in Somalia’s activities. For example, it is one of Somalia’s major global partners.
It has also invested in the country’s security through the United States African Command (AFRICOM), which works closely with AMISOM and Somali National Army (SNA) troops.
On Thursday August 20, Ambassador Yamamoto issued a statement condemning the absence of the two leaders at the talks.
He said that their absence would not cause the talks to be halted, though.
Further, Yamamoto’s criticism of Deni and Madobe appears to cite “personal ambitions” as the reason for their absence.