FTL Somalia

Former President to Kick President Farmajo out of Mogadishu

FNP Sheekh Shariif and Hassan Sheikh
FNP Sheekh Shariif and Hassan Sheikh
Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former President of Somalia
Sharif Sheikh Ahmed: I Swear to Allah

With a year to go before Somalia goes to the poll in 2020/21, the political temperature grows hotter as the opposition gangs up against the regime of President Mohamed Farmajo.

The newly revamped opposition that now operates as the Forum for National Parties (FNP) has brought six major parties together. FNP has been relentless in questioning the federal government for its intimidation and suppression. It threatens a major fight.

On Sunday, the Aden Adde International Airport experienced a major standoff, as reports emerged stating that the government had delayed a flight that was to carry a delegation comprising two former presidents.

Later, the government allowed the former presidents – Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed – to continue with their travel to Beledweyne. However, it attempted to prevent them and their delegation from landing in the flood-hit region.

As the FNP leader, Sharif Sheikh addressed the press on Sunday while pointing his fingers at the government of President Farmajo accusingly. He warned the government of dire consequences if it continues on its path of oppression and intimidation.

The former president angrily said, “This town was once under the rule of Mooryaans. However, those outlaw militias were fought and kicked out. Afterward, Ethiopians try to force their way in before they were also kicked out.”

Al-Shabaab also occupied the land briefly before being removed. Does the Federal Government think that it is stronger than all these past forces? As Allah lives, we will remove them if they don’t stop their campaign of oppression and intimidation.”

As the political tensions in the city escalate, the international community has every reason to worry since it has been fighting for peace and stability in the country that has known nothing but war for the last three decades.

Farmajo continues to face massive pressure from hunger, threats by Al-Shabaab, floods, and exclusions by the regional governments. Consequently, he appears to be operating as a lone ranger in his own country. His continued stay in power seems to be at risk.

Abdirizak Mohamed, a Federal Government MP, confirmed the allegations that the delegation flying to Beledweyne was blocked from traveling. He termed this move as a violation of the delegates’ constitutional rights.

“We resisted the illegal attempts that FGS made to hinder us from exercising our constitutional right of traveling to Beletwein. We are now aboard the plane traveling to Beletwein to deliver humanitarian aid,” he stated.

Members of the opposition contributed more than $200,000 to help flood victims in the Middle Shebelle region. In October, floodwaters killed over 20 people.

FGS has attempted to restrict the country’s former leaders from traveling around Somalia severally. In September, it blocked Sharif Sheikh from moving to Sheikh Madobe’s inauguration in Kismayo.

Later in October, the delegation boarded a Kenyan plane, which it used to land in Kismayo. Nairobi came under heavy diplomatic fire from Mogadishu for violating aviation rules.

Last week, FNP launched its manifesto. In it, they have listed several significant issues that they intend to fight, which include political suppression and the government’s continued violation of human rights.

The current parliament’s term expires in October 2020. That will happen just in time for the 2020 General Elections. Currently, parliament has been enacting election laws.

In 2021, AMISOM troops will be exiting Somalia. Therefore, the outcome of 2020 polls will be critical for both Mogadishu and the international community.