African Union says it regrets Somalia’s refusal of special envoy for elections

The African Union (AU) has expressed regret over Somalia’s decision to reject the appointment of former Ghanaian President John Mahama as Somalia’s top envoy.

Earlier this month, Somalia rejected Mahama’s nomination, arguing that the former Ghanaian president has strong ties to Kenya, with which Somalia is embroiled in political disputes.

According to Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Mohamed Abdirasak, Mahama had a close relationship with an unnamed individual in Kenya’s leadership and therefore would not be considered neutral.

Somalia has written a letter to African Union Commissioner Moussa Faki Mahamat informing it of no support for Mahama’s new job.

“We express our displeasure at the decision of the Somali government, rejecting the appointment of H.E. Mr John Dramani Mahama, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia. We urge the Chairperson of the African Union Commission to continue dialogue with the Federal Government of Somalia to resolve the dispute and report to the Assembly on how to proceed with the political engagement with Somalia and the Security Council (PSC), the statement said.

Mahama was expected to work with Somali stakeholders to reach a mutually agreed-upon compromise on holding elections in Somalia in the shortest possible time.