Differences between Somalia President Mohamed Farmaajo and his Prime Minister Hussein Roble could threaten the electoral calendar the country needs so badly.

The tiff emerged mainly over the appointment or sacking of key officials in government. But stakeholders in Mogadishu, including foreign partners, worry that the public spat between the two could divert the country from an electoral path, including holding presidential elections by October 10.

Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, a former president and potential contender in the upcoming elections, warned the country’s election plan depends on how the two can work together.

“Our country is at a critical time and cannot afford another dispute. President Farmaajo and Prime Minister Roble have a responsibility they cannot abandon for the people,” Ahmed, who leads the loose caucus of opposition contenders known as the Council of Presidential Candidates (CPC), said on Thursday.

“We want you to resolve your differences, unite and avoid ruining an electoral plan for our country,” he added in a video message.

This week, two incidents exposed the simmering differences between Farmaajo and the man he appointed last year in September to spearhead the country out of electoral chaos.

Source: The East African