Somalia : AU Against Extension of Presidential Mandate

The African Union has made her position on the political crisis rocking Somalia known. During an emergency meeting on Friday, the 15-member-Council expressed "deep concern" over the vote by Somalia’s lower house of parliament this month to extend the mandate of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo. The organization said the move, which effectively postponed the country's already-delayed elections, also undermines the unity and stability of the Horn of Africa state. 
Lawmakers extended Farmajo's mandate for another two years after months of failed talks on holding parliamentary and presidential elections. Political leaders were unable to agree on the electoral process, despite heavy pressure from the AU, the United States, and European Union.
On Friday, the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) welcomed a renewed initiative by the African Union to facilitate talks on holding elections. But blamed Kenya and Djibouti for engaging in what Information Minister Osman Dubbe described as a sinister campaign to derail the political process in Somalia through their influence in the commission.
Opposition leaders in Somalia also welcomed the move by the AU to condemn a term extension by Somali lawmakers for themselves and the President. Vibrant opposition Senator Ilyas Ali said, “I applaud the condemnation made by the African Peace and Security Council over the lower house decision to extend its term and the term of the president and express our desire to continue collaborating with African brothers for a better Somalia,” he added.  
The African Union is expected to send a special envoy to oversee the efforts to resolve the stalemate over the polls. Political analyst Mohamed Muse Aden predicts the AU inte...