Somali opposition reining in Farmaajo's ambitions

Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble said he is ready to resume talks with a coalition of presidential hopefuls on the road to ending the political crisis in Somalia, one induced by the failure of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo to hand over power, following the end of his term on 8 February.

A spokesman for the federal government of Somalia wrote on Facebook that Prime Minister Roble is ready to move ahead with negotiations with the presidential hopefuls to reach a comprehensive agreement that would open the door for holding fair and transparent elections.

He added that the prime minister is always ready to continue his dialogue with the hopefuls to reach an agreement on the elections.

Ending the crisis

Presidential candidate Taher Mahmud Jili said the goals and the principles of the coalition of presidential hopefuls are based on understanding and constructive dialogue to find a solution to the standoff over elections.

This comes while mediation efforts and talks between the government and the coalition ended in failure, after hours of direct dialogue on March 5.

The two sides met on 4 March to discuss pending political issues, especially in relation to the elections and the role the candidates can play in easing them.

Nevertheless, the talks produced no result, as reported by the government and the coalition.