UN Security Council meets to discuss Somalia leadership crisis

The UN Security Council is meeting to discuss the brewing leadership crisis in Somalia after the opposition leaders declared President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed’s rule illegitimate.

A report by the AFP reveals that some unnamed diplomats said the meeting was convened upon request by Britain—a member of the council—which spearheads the discussions this month.

UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric averred that there was still room for the UN to intervene to ensure that the country remains in check and the situation does not escalate.

AFP quotes him stating: “There is still room for Somali leaders to come together, find a political solution that will preserve the institutions that they’ve worked so hard to build. Dialogue among all the parties involved is essential to have a clear and broad agreement on the way forward.”

The crisis in the Horn of Africa began when the country failed to conduct a parliamentary election late last year, and a subsequent president election early 2021. According to the country’s constitution, the parliament stood illegal by the end of 2020. By Monday, February 8, 2021, the term of President Mohamed, better known as Farmajo, came to end hence eliciting widespread protest against any plan to continue staying in power.

As it is, Farmajo remains the president by virtue of being supported not by the country’s constitution but a federal motion passed last year. The motion stated that country’s president would stay in office until being voted in again or replaced by another candidate.

On Monday, Wadajir leader Abdirahman Abdishakur—an opposition figure angling for top seat—warned against any endorsement for Farmajo. He warned external powers against doing so saying whichever government that will legitimise Farmajo’s reign would be directly responsible for destabilising Somalia.