File Photo/Somali Times
Dozens of questions have been raised about the Qatari government’s plan to summon Somalia’s President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, who arrived in Doha yesterday.
Mohamed Farmajo is expected to meet with Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani today to discuss bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest, according to Villa Somalia.
However, Somali Times understands that the main purpose of the meeting is for the two men to discuss the Somalia presidential election, which Farmajo once again represents, and the role Qatar could play.
Although Qatar fully supported Farmajo in 2016, and is expected to do so again, Somali Times understands that Qatar’s support for Farmajo in 2022 is uncertain, and that Farmajo may even be told not to.
Some believe that Farmajo was summoned for full support while others believe that Qatar may have other plans.
Those who believe that Mohamed Farmajo will be given full support argue that Qatar does not have a better candidate than Farmajo, and that Qatar is loyal to Farmajo as he was five years ago.
However, others argue that Qatar will not be 100% confident in Farmajo’s presidential election because, they say, Qatar knows that even if Farmajo is re-elected it will be difficult for him to rule Somalia again, because of the level he has reached public hatred during his five years in office.
The other issue is, they say, that even if Qatar backs Farmajo it will be difficult for lawmakers to vote, which is why it is believed that Qatar has a second candidate this year in “Plan B,” but it is likely to be “Plan A.”
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports say the United States is putting strong pressure on Qatar to oust Mohamed Farmajo.
In Somalia’s elections, no president has been reelected for a second term in history.