Somalia president cancels Russia trip amid security, political pressures

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has canceled a planned trip to Russia this week because of mounting security and political pressures at home, the Somali Stream reported on Tuesday.

The decision followed an ambush by Al Shabaab in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region on Monday that killed dozens of Somali soldiers.

Uganda presses Mohamud on opposition talks

Uganda, a leading troop contributor to the African Union force in Somalia, has also pressed Mohamud to open talks with the opposition quickly or face the withdrawal of its troops.

Mohamud made a one-day visit to Uganda this week and met President Yoweri Museveni. He asked Kampala to keep its forces in Somalia under a bilateral agreement, but Museveni declined, citing economic constraints.

Museveni also urged Mohamud to engage the opposition and warned that Uganda would pull out all its troops if the advice went unheeded, leaving Mogadishu at risk of an Al-Shabaab takeover of the entire country.

Mohamud calls for dialogue

On Sunday night, before leaving for Kampala on Monday, Mohamud called for dialogue with the opposition and dropped his earlier refusal to compromise on the most contentious issues. The shift appeared aimed at placating Museveni.

Since returning home, Mohamud has sought to ease political tensions and settle disputes across the country through political means, according to the Somali Stream.

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