MOGADISHU (SD) – Somali government has accused the international community of using humanitarian assistance as ‘blackmail’ to advance its ‘regime change’ amid the donors warn of sanctions and aid cuts following the extension of the president’s term in office.

In a statement, the country’s ministry for Foreign Affairs said was ‘alarmed’ by remarks by some foreign governments and organisations.

“These statements are advancing unconstitutional regime change agenda and inciting the Somali people against their legitimate government threatening peace and stability. FGS is deeply concerned by the misleading and alarmist statements issued by some international partners criticising the will of the people expressed through Parliament,” the statement read in part.

The statement asked the partners ‘hand off’, saying “failure to this, the government of Somalia will explore diplomatic avenues available to protect her sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence.”

The ministry further went to blame the some of the country’s partners of carry out hidden agenda to change the regime.

“These statements are advancing unconstitutional regime change agenda and inciting the Somali people against their legitimate government threatening peace and stability.

The statement by Somali government comes barely a day after several statement by the international community warned of sanctions and aid cuts following the two-year term extension for Somali president and the parliament by endorsed by the MPs and signed into law by president Farmajo.

EU which is a key supporter of Somalia’s reconstruction process also warned that the move by the Lower House to extend the term of the president was a threat to the country’s stability and could cause divisions in the country.

“The European Union believes that the passage and signing of this resolution will divide Somalia, impose additional delays and constitute a grave threat to the peace and stability of Somalia and its neighbours,” said EU High Representative Josep Borrell.