Local news portal, Garowe Online, reports that the government had applied to the AUC to delay Mahama's arrival but the Commission turned down the request by Villa Somalia, the presidency. The AU's reason according to reports was that the appointment of Mahama was the decision of all member states and not because Mogadishu had specifically put in a request. The portal adds that the Federal Government has since made a U-turn and rejected Mahama's deployment, that he was not welcome. "Villa Somalia's request to delay Mahama's arrival suffered a significant blow on Monday after the African Union insisted that "sending a special envoy was agreed upon by the A.U member states and not through the Somali government's request." His appointment had initially been warmly welcomed by the government and bloc of opposition presidential aspirants who hailed the former president as a good choice.
