Monday April 11, 2022
The election standoff in Gedo region seems far from over
after Jubaland accused Somalia President Mohamed Farmaajo of planning to deploy
foreign troops.
This comes barely three days after reports of a closed door
security meeting in Dolow centre by Ethiopian top security team led by Gen
Tashuma Ayelo, Somalia MP and representative of President Farmajo Abdullahi
Kulane Jiis and the head of Ethiopia Somali regional Liyuu police commander
Mohamed Ahmed Haji.
Horn of Africa security analyst Rashid Abdi said in a tweet
that Ethiopian military intelligence met Kulane and a plan hatched to “disrupt
the elections, prepare for insertion of Eritrean-trained troops, put
contingency plan in place to give Farmaajo safe exit via Gedo”.
Former Hirshabele president Mohamed Abdi Waare told Somali
Universal TV the meeting was convened to strategize the deployment of Ethiopia
and Eritrean forces, Liyuu regional police and clan militia trained and
marshaled in Baydhabo in Somalia.
"We are aware of all the desperate measures of
President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo to rig in MPs in the delayed 16 slots of
the Gedo region using fear and foreign militia,” Waare said.
He said Farmaajo is loosing the battle with Jubaland
president Ahmed Madobe over influence in Gedo region, forcing him use foreign
militia to “influence and destabilize Jubland”.
Jubaland presidential public relations adviser Abdirashid
Danane said the federal state is aware of the deployment of foreign troops and
interferences on the parliamentary elections that were to be held in
Garbaharey.
He said Jubaland wants President Farmajo to desist from such
interference and deployment of foreign troops.
"We have the Kenyan troops under Amisom that have
played a great role in restoring peace and stability. Jubaland also have enough
security officers who commensurate to any security challenge. Deploying more
foreign troops is not advisable '' Danane said.
Speaking to SSTv, Danane said Jubaland was fully prepared to
hold the 16 parliamentary elections in Garbaharey in peace.