Photo/Somali Times
Former Information Minister Dahir Mohamud Gelle, now a presidential candidate in the opposition coalition, has accused President Farmajo of not listening to Somali politicians. Candidate Dahir said Farmajo is sensitive to the international community, responds to external pressure and does not listen to internal voices, he said.
“I am saddened by the Somali president and his Somali brothers who are in charge, who are in power, who are with the country, when they talk to those who oppose them, and accept the pressure of the world,” said candidate Dahir Mohamud Gelle.
“Mr. President, it is unfortunate that we are losing our political rights, and you are not listening to us and you are interfering in the outside world. The pressure from the people is not your right, it is ours,” he said.
Dahir argues that it is not right for the international community to always interfere in Somalia’s internal affairs, and that the president should listen to opposition politicians vying for office. He also stressed that opposition politicians have never applauded the chaos and insecurity, and want a peaceful end to the election, which has created a crisis in the country.
The candidate finally warned President Farmajo against holding a run-off election, as opposition candidates recently boycotted the disputed election commissions and appointed new election commissions.
The remarks came as the president was received at the presidential palace by UK Minister for Africa James Duddridge on Tuesday, as part of pressure on Farmajo to hold a general election. Reliable sources from Villa Somalia said that the meeting discussed the disputes over the election in Somalia, while UK complicated solution reach.
Officials at the presidency, who asked not to be named, said the UK delegation had pressured the president not to hold uncontested elections, which was also stated at a UK co-operation meeting in Somalia on Tuesday by UK Ambassador to Somalia Ben Fender.
This meeting is the beginning of another meeting that the international community is expected to hold with the political parties in the country, to reach a comprehensive solution.