Amid violent clashes between rival factions within the Somali National Army (SNA) in Mogadishu over the last three days, the United Nations Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) on Tuesday issued a statement condemning the violence and urged all sides to “exercise maximum restraint, resume dialogue, and avoid unilateral actions that may lead to a further escalation.” Civilians also began fleeing from their residences in Mogadishu due to fears of increased hostilities in the capital city.
There was a heavy exchange of gunfire on Sunday between soldiers loyal to President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, better known as Farmaajo, and forces opposed to Farmaajo’s two-year extension of his term as president. “We have repeatedly warned that the extension of mandates would lead to a political crisis and undermine peace, stability and security in Somalia,” the UNSOM statement read. It also expressed grave concern over “the emerging fragmentation of the SNA along clan lines,” which UNSOM said, “detracts from its primary task of combating Al Shabab and protecting the Somali population.”
Loyalist troops were accused of attacking former Somali President Hasan Sheikh Mohamud’s residence. While the leader expressed his dismay over the incident, he also mentioned that he had previously warned Farmaajo of the risk of politicising security. Additionally, it was reported that forces opposed to Farmaajo barricaded key roads often used by government officials and took up positions nearby.
The clashes are a result of a political crisis that has gripped the country for months. In a move that inflamed the already simmering tensions in Somalia, the lower house of the Somali parliament voted to extend Farmaajo’s term, which ended on February, by two years earlier this month. Opposition groups have said that the move was an attempt to grab power by the Somali president. “Former President Farmaajo is a dictator,” military commander Abdulkadkir Mohamed Warsame told Africa News at the time. “He [Farmaajo] wants to stay in power with force. We are against that. We will continue fighting until he leaves,” he added.
In order to prevent further fighting, the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council has agreed to mediate talks between Farmaajo’s government and the opposition. The move was welcomed by UNSOM, which urged the AU to “begin work as soon as possible.” The spokesperson for the UN Secretary General António Guterres also released a statement expressing “deep concern” over the clashes and called on all combatants “to refrain from further violence and resolve their differences through dialogue and compromise.”
Furthermore, United States (US) Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said on Monday that the US is “gravely concerned” by the unfolding situation in Somalia and added that Washington is considering all options, including “sanctions and visa restrictions” on those who are undermining peace in the country.
However, in the latest development, reports earlier today confirmed that Farmaajo has called for fresh elections and decided not to extend his presidential term for two years. “As we have repeatedly stated, we have always been ready to implement timely and peaceful elections in the country,” Farmaajo said in a message broadcast on state media.
Violent Clashes Erupt in Somalia, UN Warns Against Escalation
The clashes are a result of the Somali Parliament extending the presidential term of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, which ended in February, by two years.
April 28, 2021
SOURCE: FARAH ABDI WARSAMEH/ASSOCIATED PRESS