Former President John Dramani Mahama has withdrawn his acceptance as the African Union’s Special Representative to Somalia.
He wrote a letter to the
Chairperson of the African Union Commission to announce the withdrawal of his acceptance of the continental body’s appointment as its High Representative for Somalia.
This was made known in a statement issued by his Special Aide, Joyce Bawa Mogtari.
“While thanking the AU for the confidence reposed in him, Mr. Mahama noted that, “the high political importance of the proposed assignment requires that the High Representative enjoy the unalloyed support and co-operation of all political stakeholders,” the statement indicated.
Reports say the Somali authorities believe Mr Mahama was not going to be fair in his mediation for a number of reasons including that he is a friend of Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Kenya.
But the statement added that
“President Mahama whose appointment as the AU envoy has been roundly welcomed by the Council of Presidential Candidates of Somalia, and the Coalition of Somalia’s Federal Member States, further cautioned in his letter to the AU Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, that the lack of support by the Federal Government could jeopardize the whole process and undermine the hopes that the entire world has in bringing peace to the esteemed land of Somalia.”
“The former Ghanaian President who continues to receive requests from various international bodies and groups and is widely respected for his commitment to democratic consolidation, peace building and development used the opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to the African Union’s vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, that includes Somalia.”
By DGN Online