Newly Appointed African Union Envoy to Somalia quits

More than a week after Mogadishu rejected his deployment, Former Ghanaian President John Mahama, has withdrawn from his role as African Union’s High Representative to Somalia. He cited trust issues raised by the President of Somalia, Mohamed Farmaajo, in a letter to the AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, indicating he will no longer be taking up the job.

A statement that was posted on his website quoted that the former Ghanaian leader feels “the high political importance of the proposed assignment requires that the High Representative enjoy the unalloyed support and cooperation of all political stakeholders.”

The Ex Ghanaian President had enthusiastically welcomed the nomination to help mediate Somalia’s political impasse, but now feels it is no longer tenable as Somalia has questioned his alliance with Kenya, with whom they have a diplomatic tiff.

In his letter to the AU commission chairperson, Mr Mahama further stated, that the lack of support by Somalia’s Federal Government could jeopardise the entire process and undermine the hopes that the entire world has in bringing peace to Somalia.

On May 8th Mr Mahama was appointed to help somalia’s political leaders settle and arrange the much delayed elections, however Somalia rejected his appointment saying he had “extensive links” with Kenya.

Mogadishu on Sunday wrote to the African Union Chairperson Mahamat notifying him that Somalia will no longer support Mr Mahama in his new role.