The African Union Overplayed Its Hand in Somalia
Mogadishu (PP Editorial) When President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed mooted the idea “African solutions to African problems”, little did he know of the make-up of African Union committees such as the Peace and Security Council. PSC made up of 15 countries including Djibouti and Kenya, two troop-contributing countries whose forces are in Somalia under Amisom mandate. The Western Countries welcomed PSC communiqué. After all, they pay salaries of Amisom troops and have a leverage to influence decisions by AU committees.
African solution is an oxymoron. Who gave PSC the privilege to attack the legislature of a member country that thinks the principle of national sovereignty still mattered in a unipolar word? AU has not shed its ‘club of dictatorships” image. 1/3 of AU member states thinks it is fair to undermine the sovereignty of Somalia through a partisan communiqué while at the same time touting its role as a
Supporters of Somalia's President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and those opposed to the extension of his four-year term clashed on Sunday on the streets of the capital, residents said.
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Supporters of Somalia’s President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and those opposed to the extension of his four-year term clashed on Sunday on the streets of the capital Mogadishu, residents said.
The president signed a law in mid-April extending his mandate for two years, stoking opposition inside Somalia and putting him on a collision course with Western and other donors opposed to the move.
Somalia, which plunged into war and chaos in 1991, has been struggling to re-establish the authority of central government and rebuild the nation, with international help. The failure to hold elections that were due in February sparked a new crisis.
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image captionAnti-government protesters cheered breakaway factions of the military
Fighting has erupted in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, reportedly between sections of the security forces supporting President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and units opposed to him.
Witnesses reported hearing heavy gunfire in the streets.
Last week Mr Mohamed - known as Farmajo - controversially approved a two-year extension of his term in office. His mandate officially ended in February.
The move was strongly criticised by the UN and the African Union.
Details on Sunday s violence were sketchy. The privately owned Morad news website tweeted that heavy gunfire had broken out in north Mogadishu. It said the fighting was between pro-government forces and military units that support the opposition.