EU Calls for End to Political Stand-off in Somalia

The European Union urged Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and Prime Minister Roble to resolve their political impasse on Saturday.

"All Somali stakeholders must exercise maximum restraint for the overall stability of Somalia and the region," said EU High Representative Josep Borrell in a statement.

The EU's foreign policy leader underlined that the electoral process in Somalia must continue to move forward peacefully in accordance with the previously agreed timetable of May 27. "This is key for the wellbeing of the Somali population," he added.

According to reports in the media, President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed suspended Prime Minister Mohammed Hussein Roble's authority to employ and fire officials on Thursday, escalating tensions in the country.

In April of this year, Borrell chastised the country for supporting a resolution extending the President's and Federal government's mandates by two years. Following the impasse over the electoral process, the Lower House of the Somali Parliament voted to de-facto extend the President's and Federal government's mandates by two years. The electoral process was supposed to be completed by February 8, 2021.

Following the incident, Borrell stated that it "undermines the historic effort, supported by the European Union and the international community, to reconstruct Somalia via consensus."

“The international community, including the EU, has consistently and publicly stated that we could not accept a government mandate extension, or any partial or parallel election process, without the approval of the parties to the September 17 electoral agreement.

“The European Union thinks that passing and signing this resolution will split Somalia, cause significant delays, and represent a serious threat to Somalia's and its neighbours' peace and stability. It surely does not suit the Somali people's interests.”