Mogadishu (SD) – The Somali government has called on the African Union to withdraw its envoy to Somalia, alleging him to have links in the region.

“Firstly, I would like to express Somalia’s deep appreciation for your support in aiming to assist my country to secure long-term stability and would like to reaffirm our support for you and your good office” said Somalia’s request to the AU.

Adding “ However, the Federal Government of Somalia is of the view, given the present consensus on the elections, the window of opportunity for AU’s high representative to support Somalia, to have an affect on the political impasse and support the established of a Somali-owned and Somali-led is no longer viable given the process has already started with the principles due to meet on the 20th May. It’s my concern, introducing an envoy in to the process now will only confuse the present amicable arrangements and at worse risk the politicization of the process further than necessary.”
The Somali government criticized the newly appointed AU envoy, accusing him to have links to Kenyan leadership, siting current political dispute with that country.

“The earlier envisaged role of the high representative was all the more sensitive given the political nature of the task. Therefore, it’s indeed surprising that a candidate with an extensive link with Kenya’s leadership has been chosen by the AU to facilitate talks on a political impasse partly engineered by those the Kenyan leadership has supported.” Said Somalia’s minister of foreign affairs.

Adding “ I hereby notify the African union of the formal withdrawal of support by the Federal Government of Somalia for the AU High Representative for Somalia”

The appointment of the AU envoy John Mahama come at the request of the Somali president, who called on the AU to mediate on the country’s electoral process.

The African Union has reportedly rejected a request from the Somali government, sitting the appointment of the envoy arrived at a consensus with members states and did not only happen due to Farmajo’s request.