Somali allies and observers around the world have expressed concern over this Struggle for power between the president and the prime minister, while heavily armed groups marched through parts of Mogadishu.
Loyalty to the Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble on Tuesday took office near the President’s residence, eyewitness reports said, while others took to the streets.
“They are not far from the presidential palace, they have heavy guns and RPGs. [rocket-propelled grenades]”, Saido Mumin, a resident of Mogadishu, told AFP.
A local resident, Abdukadir Ahmed, said although the situation seemed calm, he was “deeply concerned” about the potential for violence.
This comes a day after President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, also known as Farmaajo, announced the suspension of Roble’s powers on suspicion of corruption, which the Prime Minister described as a coup attempt.
The relationship between the two has been a fifth for a long time, but recent events have raised concerns about the stability of Somalia as the country struggles to hold on. elections that have been delayed for a long time.
Global alarm
Observers have called on both sides to end the escalating conflict, which seems to be allied with a number of allies if they disrupt an international-led government crackdown on al-Shabab militants, an al-Qaeda-linked militant group.
On Monday, the Africa Bureau of the United States State Department warned that Washington was “ready to take action against those who disrupt Somalia’s peace process”.
“Trying to suspend @MohamedHRoble is dangerous and we support his efforts in fast and reliable elections. All parties must refrain from actions and comments,” he said on Twitter.
The US is ready to take action against those who obstruct Somalia’s peace process. Trying to stop a Reply to @Team_Twitter it is dangerous and we support its efforts in quick and reliable decisions. All parties must refrain from taking any action or action. https://t.co/gQwkRhGvY8
– Bureau of African Affairs (@AsstSecStateAF) December 27, 2021
Farmaajo has accused Roble of interfering in the land grab and removing his responsibility for election planning.
Roble also accused Farmaajo of engaging in “conspiracy to defraud the government, the constitution and the constitution” and interfering with the vote.
Growing anxiety
Also at the end of Monday, observers around the world and their allies, including the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the US, the European Union, and the United Nations, issued a statement expressing “deep concern” about the crisis.
“We urge the Somali leaders to put the country’s interests first, to reduce the growing political tensions, and to refrain from inciting or using force that could disrupt peace and order,” the statement said.
“Allies have repeatedly expressed concern over the growing lawlessness and delays in elections in Somalia.”
Several Somali officials and politicians say they too want to calm down.
“Politicians and other officials [have] began to intervene between the two sides to resolve the issue, but these efforts … should bring about a permanent decision, a source in the presidency told AFP not to be named.
Farmaajo’s actions on Monday also opened the way for a dispute to be resolved when he appointed Roble to oversee security and conduct Somali elections.
Security forces allied with Mohamed and Roble in April seized territories in the capital, while the prime minister and opponents opposed a four-year extension by the next president.
Conflicts between the two groups forced between 60,000 and 100,000 people to flee their homes.
Under Somalia’s indirect elections, local councils are required to elect a Senate. Family heads are required to elect members of the lower house, which in turn elects a new president.
The long-delayed election began on November 1 and was due to end on December 24, but the new candidate said, as of Saturday, only 24 out of 275 candidates had been elected.
On Sunday, Farmaajo and Roble argued over a boycott of the election.
