Seasoned journalist, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako has backed former President John Mahama's appointment as Special Envoy to Somalia by the African Union (AU).

The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat made the announcement in a statement on Saturday, May 9, 2021.

The statement read that Mr. Mahama ''will work with the Somali stakeholders, to reach a mutually acceptable compromise towards an all-encompassing resolution for the holding of Somali elections in the shortest time possible''.

''In fulfilling his mandate, Mahama will be supported by the peacekeepers serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) to ensure mediation efforts and the peace support operation work together seamlessly'', the AU Chair also said.

But Mr. Mahama's appointment has been met with contention.

Some political actors like the Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan have questioned Mr. Mahama's integrity to hold the position.

Hon. Kwamena Duncan argued about the former President's active role in inciting his supporters to hit the streets and cause chaos after the 2020 Presidential elections.

But Kweku Baako has slammed the critics of Mr. Mahama's new appointment.

Mr. Baako argued that Mr. Mahama's appointment will boost Ghana's reputation and image on the international level.

''There's no perfect person out there. There's no perfect past President or Head of State out there. All of them have their own minuses and others. When he finishes his work and an international community like UN, AU, the rest says come, 'in spite of all your limitations, come and do this work' and he accepts to do it, apart from helping the people he is going to help them; it also gives our own country gives our own a certain image'', he emphasized on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo''.

Somalia Rejects Ex-President John Mahama

Meanwhile, Somalia has rejected the appointment of Mr. John Mahama as their envoy to help mediate its political impasse with Kenya.

Somalia argues that the former Head of State has “extensive links” with Kenya and has written to AU Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat notifying him that Somalia will no longer support Mr. Mahama in his new role.

Mohamed Abdirazak, Somalia’s Foreign and International Cooperation Minister, says the Ghanaian ex-leader is closely associated with the leadership in Kenya, without specifying who in particular. Based on this alone, he says, Mr. Mahama cannot be trusted to be impartial and deliver an acceptable solution.

In a letter riddled with grammatical mistakes, Mr. Abdirazak claims that the AU did not thoroughly scrutinise Mr. Mahama’s background before appointing him to the role.