MOGADISHU (SD) – The Council of Presidential Candidates (CPC) has today called for peaceful protests against president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo.

In a press conference on Sunday, the chairperson of CPC, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has urged residents in Mogadishu to turn up in large numbers next Friday to protest against the incumbent.

Ahmed said Farmajo is illegally staying in the state house for the sixth day after his term lapsed last week.

“We all have been struggling to elections take place in this country but we can Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo is occupying the office illegally for the sixth day……… We hereby announce people to come out to protest against all these illegal issues,” he said.

The call by the CPC comes barely a week after opposition called on Farmajo should cease to be president and a new team set up to oversee the transition process.

The CPC which brings together 14 presidential candidates among them two former presidents said it no longer recognizes Mohamed Farmajo as the legitimate president of Somalia

The opposition said the Transitional Council which should draw membership from the speakers of the Federal Parliament, CPC representatives, Federal Member State leaders and civil society should convene upon formation to draw a roadmap for elections.

The roadmap, CPC said will be based on the September 17 agreement between Farmajo and Federal Member State leaders.

The Council also urged security forces including the military not to take further instructions from Farmajo and instead observe the law and order.

Farmajo, the Council said, should not by-pass the constitution lest he lose privileges as a former president.