Ghana’s former President John Dramani Mahama has in a letter to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission withdrawn his acceptance of the body’s appointment as its High Representative for Somalia.
President Mahama noted in a statement 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.”
Mahama 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 African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat on May 8 announced the appointment of the former President as the High Representative to Somalia. Somalia rejected Mahama’s appointment four days after on May 12.
The former Ghanaian President reaffirmed his commitment to the African Union’s vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, that includes Somalia.
He served as President of Ghana from July 24, 2012 to January 7, 2017. He previously served as Vice President of Ghana from January 2009 to July 2012, and took office as president on July 24, 2012 following the death of his predecessor, John Atta Mills.