The government of Somalia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the expulsion of Deputy Special Representative of the African Union Commission, Simon Mulongo from the country.
In a statement dated November 4, 2021, addressed to the African Union Commission, Somalia said that Mulongo has been engaging in activities incompatible with Amisom’s mandate and Somalia’s security strategy.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia presents its compliments to the African Union Commission and has the honour to inform the commission, the individual listed below is designated ‘persona non grata’ (unwelcome),” reads the statement in part.
He has been ordered to leave Mogadishu within 7 days.
The Somali federal government did not elaborate on the nature of the activities but sources close to the ministry say that Mulongo has been actively undermining the Somali Security Transition Plan.
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.