How Leaked WhatsApp Chat Threw Envoy Mulongo in Hot-soup
Mogadishu | RedPepper Digital – The Somali government has accused the African Union deputy envoy Simon Mulongo, of engaging in activities incompatible with the mandate of the African Union Mission in Somalia-AMISOM, and Somalia’s security strategy.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation indicated that Mulongo, the Deputy Special Representative of the African Union had been declared persona non grata and ordered to leave Mogadishu within 7 days.
The Somali federal government did not elaborate on the nature of the activities.
However, sources in diplomatic circles indicate that Mulongo was axed for making detractory statements about current Somali President Farmaajo.
“I think he (Farmaajo) needs a much firmer handling because this is dangerous to the country and also borders on demolishing the gains made,” said Mulongo in a leaked WhatsApp chat with a colleague.
“He should be offered a soft landing to leave as an alternative,” said Mulongo, referring to Faramaajo.
Farmaajo recently tried to extend his term of office, attracting the wrath of AU, UN and development partners.
Mulongo also joked that to pile pressure on Farmaajo, there was a need to “withdraw forces from in and around the city…”
But its statement dated November 4, 2021, has been sent to the African Mission Commission in Addis-Ababa and copied to the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Somalia in Addis Ababa, and the Office of African Union Mission in Somalia within Mogadishu.
In a subsequent tweet, Somali Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdirizak said the federal government would hold AMISOM staff accountable, especially those in leadership positions who are expected to avoid anything that could tarnish their image, their duties to the UN and the African Union.
Mulongo was appointed to the office on August 19, 2017, taking over from Lydia Wanyoto Mutende, whose contract had ended at the time.
He previously served as a Director of the East African Standby Force in Nairobi and as a member of parliament representing Bubulo East constituency.
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