Former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo has called for unity and political dialogue, stressing the importance of Somali traditional elders in finding a solution to the country’s political impasse.
Farmaajo said he was echoing a previous call made by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and current President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, while speaking at an inauguration ceremony in the country.
The event, he said, demonstrated the great need for Somalis for unity and political consensus.
“The Presidents’ call was based on the role that Somali traditional elders who met in the country’s capital can play in finding a solution to the political impasse in the country. Therefore, I also call on Somali elders to stand up for their responsibilities and play a significant role in reaching a political solution that will avert political regression and civil war,” Farmaajo said in a statement.
He pointed out that the call was particularly illuminating the role that Somali traditional leaders, who recently met in the capital, Mogadishu, can play in helping resolve the complex political disputes.
The former president called on traditional elders to stand up for their historic role and actively participate in efforts to achieve a lasting political solution that can save the country from setbacks and civil strife.
Farmaajo also sent a message to all political leaders in the country, both conservative and opposition, calling on them to give traditional elders a real opportunity to participate in the Somali state-building process.
He noted that elders were the backbone of the political system of the Third Republic, which shows their continued importance to the stability and future of the country.
