Rivals to the current President of Somalia call for his immediate stepping down after his term ended as a national leader. President Mohamed is facing immense pressure to resign, which he has not considered in any way. The President’s actions have raised worries all across Somalia as it might lead to another civil war similar to a previous one. Experts on the situation say that if the conflict does bear fruit, then Somalia will be taken over by the Al-Shabab.
The Al-Shabab in Somalia
The Al-Shabab, an Islamist group, has been launching attacks in the Horn of Africa nation to take control of Somalia. The group has launched many attacks even in the countries capital Mogadishu in its mission to control the country. In retaliation, the Somalian troops have tried to stop the jihadists with the help of foreign forces. But not much can happen as the Al-Shabab already control a large portion of Somalia.
If another civil breaks out in Somalia, then the country will fall under Al-Shabab control. The current events in Somalia seem like they could likely spark a new war in the nation. Officials in both Puntland and Jubbaland say they don’t recognize Mohamed as Somalia’s President. His rivals also accuse him of packing his supporters into the regional and national boards who choose the legislators.
President Mohamed’s four-year term as President ended last month without a successor. Last month Somalia’s parliament was supposed to elect a new President, but the exercise got delayed because new lawmakers have yet to be picked. As this is the case, Mohamed has continued to rule Somalia even after his term expired.
President Mohamed receives Support
The President seeks to have a second term as Somalia leader, but many have expressed their dislike in the decision. Talks have been taking place in Somalia involving President Mohamed and various political leaders and international community members. The discussions aim to figure out a new date for Somalia’s elections. Mohamed’s rivals in Jubbaland and Putland, however, have not attended the talks as they argue Mohamed should not chair the talks as he is no longer President.
To many, the fact that President Mohamed chairs the talks brings up the idea that the President continues to expand support for his continued stay as President. This has caused residents in Dhahar district in Putland to launch demonstrations denouncing President Mohamed’s reelection. But it seems not everyone disagrees with President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed prolonging his stay as President.
Abdirashid Janan announces this week that he and some 400 troops from Jubbaland had defected and allied themselves with President Mohamed. Janan is the Security minister of the semi-autonomous Jubbaland state, and his support for the President bolstered his position significantly.
In a briefing, Abdirashid Janan said he had defected to the federal government as he did not want any part in the war in the region. He also added that a colonel was among the troop that had defected. Following his decision to defect, Jubbaland leader Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe sacked Janan as security minister. Jubbaland leader Ahmed announced the dismissal because Janan conducted talks with the President.
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