Somalia opposition rejects Qatar mediation, rebukes its envoy “empty-handed”

The Qatari mediation to end the division between the government and the Somali opposition has met with firm rejection by the opposition, which is committed to leaving President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo in power.

The failure of the Qatari mediation was quoted yesterday, Monday, by “Somalia Today” newspaper, political sources whom it described as informed.

The Somali Presidential Candidates Union Council rejected the mediation offered by the Qatari Foreign Ministry envoy to Somalia; Mutlaq al-Qahtani during a meeting between the two sides at the Dakali Hotel at Adam Adi International Airport.

Mogadishu or Doha

The same sources revealed that Al Qahtani had offered Qatar’s readiness to lead a mediation effort to end the division between the government and the opposition in Mogadishu, or to transfer it to Doha if necessary.

“The Council of the Union of Candidates, the spearhead of the Farmajo Canton, rejected the proposal altogether and insisted on the departure of the outgoing president, particularly after his use of military force, in imposing the option of extension, before he relented under domestic and international pressure.”

“Farmajo cannot be part of the solution, but his abdication of the seat has expired, and not contesting the elections is the appropriate solution,” the union of candidates said, according to the newspaper. “Otherwise, the security unrest will continue as long as he is clinging to power illegally.”

Counter-proposal

The Council of the Union of Presidential Candidates rejected a proposal to the Qatari mediator. One of the candidates participating in the meeting offered Doha to persuade Farmajo to relinquish power to stabilize Somalia and then conduct the parliamentary and presidential elections in a stable atmosphere.

Somalia Today attributed the Somali opposition’s rejection of the Qatari mediation to Doha’s standing with the Farmajo government over the past four years, despite the authority’s use of military force against the opposition.

A few days ago, Farmajo backed away from a two-year extension of parliament, and tasked Prime Minister Robley to lead the election’s course, both politically and security, in a speech to parliament.

But the opposition is still wary of dodging Farmajo and demanding that he be completely removed from the executive until the elections.