Somali declared African Union chair’s special representative for Somalia and Amisom head Ambassador Francisco Madeira persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country within 48 hours.
Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble made the announcement on the night of Wednesday, April 6, accusing Madeira of “engaging in acts that are incompatible with his status.”
“The Somali government requests the AU Commission to recall Ambassador Francisco Madeira and comply with this request. We welcome the new AU Transitional Mission to Somalia (ATMIS) and look forward to working with the new mission head,” PM Roble said in the statement.
Roble requested that the AU Commission recall Madeira and “comply with this request.”
Madeira, who is from Mozambique, was appointed to the office in October 2015.
He is the second senior diplomat to be expelled from Somalia, after his deputy, Simon Mulongo, was expelled in November 2021.
n a statement dated November 4, 2021, addressed to the African Union Commission, Somalia said that Mulongo has been engaging in activities in-compatible with Amisom’s mandate and Somalia’s security strategy.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia presents its compliments to the African Union Commission and has the honour to inform the commission, the individual listed below is designated ‘persona non grata’.”
Somali Government declares the Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson for Somalia (SRCC), Ambassador Francisco Madeira persona non grata for engaging in acts that are incompatible with his status and is ordered to leave Somalia within 48 hours. pic.twitter.com/wyRvDZryqw
— OPM Somalia ???????? (@SomaliPM) April 6, 2022
However, hours later President Mohamed Farmaajo rejected Madeira’s expulsion, saying he has received no complaints of interference with Somalia’s sovereignty, and doesn’t endorse any illegal action against Ambassador Francisco Madeira.
“Our foreign policy is not anchored on emotions and vested interests and we value all our state-building process partners”.
“As an AU founding member, Somalia deeply appreciates AU’s solid role and sacrifice in contributing to Somalia’s peace and stability. H.E Mohamed Farmaajo thus instructs the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Somalia to convey the Federal Government of Somalia apologies to the AU on the illegitimate and reckless decision from an unauthorized office,” Villa Somalia Director of Communications said in a statement.
FGS led by H.E @M_Farmaajo has received no complaints of interference with its sovereignty & doesn't endorse any illegal action against Amb. Francisco Madeira. Our Foreign policy is not anchored on emotions & vested interests & we value all our state-building process partners pic.twitter.com/zyOnK9SE2N
— Villa Somalia (@TheVillaSomalia) April 7, 2022
He went on to retaliate that President Farmaajo is the guardian and custodian of the country’s sovereignty.
“Steps to be taken which concerns our ties with countries and multilateral institutions, is conducted in consultation and in the spirit of non-interference with our partners,” the statement said.
This yet another incident where the President and the Prime Minister are at cross purposes largely over the delayed elections.
Past differences have been over changes in government ministers and security officials.
