PM Roble off to Qatar amid escalating row with Farmaajo

Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Roble Monday departed for Qatar as President Mohamed Farmaajo flew to Ethiopia amidst an ongoing political tussle between the two leaders.

PM spokesman Mohamed Moalimuu said the visit which followed an invitation from
th Amir of Qatar, Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Prime Minister of Somalia was aimed at  strengthening the relations between the two ‘brotherly countries’.

The visit by Roble to Doha comes at a time his relations with Farmaajo remains strained. Qatar has had close ties with Farmaajo and his political henchman Fahad Yasin who is now serving as the National Security Advisor.

Sources said Qatar may have sought the audience of the PM to open negotiations on setting the long running row with Farmaajo.

Meanwhile Farmaajo is attending the inauguration of Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed who was reelected for a second term in July following controversial elections there.

Both Farmaajo and Ahmed have had close relations since the restoration of ties between the two countries in 2018.