Wednesday September 8, 2021
Mogadishu (HOL) - The political battles between Prime Minister Mohamed Roble and President Mohamed Farmaajo escalated Tuesday night and extended to who would control Somalia's state-run media.
Both Radio Muqdisho, news agency SONNA and Somali National Television (SNTV) did not publish statements from Villa Somalia regarding appointments by President Farmaajo.
SNTV pulled down a statement from Villa Somalia shortly after it was published on its Facebook page.
Conversely, the three media outlets published the PM’s orders, including one directing General Bashir Jama Gobe to report to work as National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).
The statement, which touched on other issues such as elections and the investigations on the murder of intelligence agent Ikran Tahlil also ordered staff at NISA to ‘fully work’ with the new interim director.
Farmaajo had earlier appointed the current head of Banaadir Regional Intelligence Service, Colonel Yasin Abdullahi Mohamud as interim director of NISA.
Meanwhile, the international community has warned the ongoing tussles could derail the elections and urged restrain.
“We urge Somali leaders to de-escalate the political confrontation surrounding this investigation and, in particular, avoid any actions that could lead to violence,” the statement read in part.
The foreign missions also called for ‘rapid resolution’ of the political in-fighting and investigations surrounding the death of intelligence agent Ikran Tahlil.