The African Union has appointed former President John Dramani Mahama, as the High Representative to Somalia.
The East African country has witnessed renewed political crisis recently after the incumbent president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed decided to extend his tenure by two more years.
The African Union (AU) Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat in a statement said, “As the High Representative for Somalia’s political track. President Mahama will work with the Somali stakeholders, to reach a mutually acceptable compromise towards an all-encompassing resolution for the holding of Somali elections in the shortest time possible.”
In fulfilling his mandate, the High Representative will be supported by AMISOM, to ensure that the mediation efforts and the peace support operation work together seamlessly.”
Mahamat further called on the Somali stakeholders to negotiate in good faith and to put the interests of Somalia and the well-being of the Somali people above all else in the search for an inclusive settlement to the electoral crisis.
“This should usher in a democratically elected government with the legitimacy and mandate to resolve the remaining outstanding political and constitutional issues that are posing a threat to the stability of the country and the region as a whole,” he added.
He previously served as Vice President of Ghana from January 2009 to July 2012 and took office as president on 24 July 2012 following the death of his predecessor, John Evans Atta Mills.
He subsequently won the 2016 election and continued to serve as President till January 7, 2017.
The former President also served a one-year term as Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in 2014.
Below is the full statement:
