FEIT officials land in Baidoa to fix Southwest state concerns

FEIT has set April 14 as the date for the inauguration of the 11th Somali parliament in the capital as more than 20 Lower House seats are pending, including 16 in Garbaharey town which is the most disputed.

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FEIT officials land in Baidoa to fix Southwest state concerns

BAIDOA, Somalia – Top officials from Somalia’s Federal Indirect Electoral Implementation Team (FIEIT) have arrived in Baidoa city for talks with Southwest state leader Abdiaziz Lafta-Garen over blocked seats.

The delegation led by FEIT’s chairman Muse Gelle left Mogadishu for Baidoa on Wednesday morning on a mission to address the concerns raised by the regional state after the electoral body suspended 3 seats.

The efforts come at a time when the swearing-in of members of both houses is scheduled for April 14th at Afisyoni tent in Mogadishu. FEIT has awarded more than 210 MPs with their membership certificates.

Galmudug state leader Ahmed Abdi Karie alias [Qoor-Qoor] along with a number of new lawmakers have been in Baidoa for the past few days to mediate the standoff that could lead to further poll delay.

The international partners have exerted pressure on FEIT to swiftly end the crisis and unblock the disputed seats – three from Southwest and one from HirShabelle state to meet the swearing-in deadline.

FEIT has set April 14 as the date for the inauguration of the 11th Somali parliament in the capital as more than 20 Lower House seats are pending, including 16 in Garbaharey town which is the most disputed.

According to sources, FEIT and PM Roble want the HOP086 seat grabbed by Farmajo’s security advisor Fahad Yasin in February to be held in Mogadishu after complaints from the community that belongs to it.

If FEIT fails an immediate solution to the dispute, according to the political experts the swearing-in ceremony, which is just a few hours away will lack inclusivity and see a boycott by some of the five Federal States, including Southwest.

The ongoing election in Somalia became the longest-running vote in history as it has been dragging on since July 2021 due to continued political wrangles. When finished, the 275 Lower House MPs and the 54 senate members will elect a new president in Mogadishu.

KEYDMEDIA English 

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