The special representative of the African Union Commission in Somalia, the Mozambican diplomat Francisco Madeira, is said to be about to leave. Disavowed by the Prime Minister but supported, on the contrary, by the Somali President and the President of the Commission of the African Union (AU), he is now the subject of press revelations, further reducing the chances of his retention in post.
Francisco Madeira has refused to make any public statements since Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble declared him persona non grata, on April 7th. However, according to a source close to the latter, the diplomatic privileges of the head of the local AU mission have already been revoked, including his VIP access to Mogadishu airport and his work permit. On mission abroad, Francisco Madeira did not return to Somalia after his disavowal.
Moreover, according to diplomatic sources quoted by the weekly The East Africanit would be ” unrealistic to resume his post. Madeira is currently under pressure to resign, not to remain under the impression that he has been sacked.
It must be said that for him the insults accumulate. In 2020, says The East Africanan internal AU investigation had already uncovered cases of corruption, mismanagement, moral harassment and political interference within its mission.
Separately, a memo written by his recently appointed deputy, South African Fiona Lortan, leaked this week and revealed a “ complete breakdown of relations between her and the head of political affairs at the mission, a close associate of Madeira.