Int’l partners urged to stop Farmajo from holding partial election

The council of the Presidential candidates forewarned the international community against funding the disputed polls that the incumbent president wants to rig and hijack the electoral process for his re-election.

News Keydmedia Online
12 January 2021

MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Horn of Africa nation is at heightened risk of political violence and instability as the fallout between political stakeholders intensifies over the upcoming general elections.

In the letter addressed to foreign diplomats in Mogadishu and seen by KON, opposition candidates voiced grave concern over the bad consequences of Farmajo’s mishandling of the electoral process.

Since early this month, political tension in Somalia has been high, stoked by the Somali PM’s announcement of holding one-party elections for both chambers of parliament as the current dispute remains unresolved.

The government plans to conduct the polls in Galmudug, HirShabelle, Southwest, and Benadir region, excluding Puntland and Jubaland due to the ongoing deadlock besetting the country.

“We unequivocally this move [Partial election] as it dangers the unity and stability of Somalia as well as embolden Al-Shabaab and other armed opposition groups,” reads the letter to Int’l partners in part.

The council of the Presidential candidates forewarned the international community against funding the disputed polls that the incumbent president wants to rig and hijack the electoral process for his re-election.

Farmajo whose 4-year-term expires next month has been accused of engineering a self-serving process in what the opposition described as a "power grab" through coercion, repression, exclusion, and intimidation.

“The council of the presidential candidates calls upon the international community to take on their necessary role to prevent a downward spiral of the country,” said the opposition.

As Somalia is now at a critical juncture, the International community has been asked not to support a partial election that will result in the destabilization of the country and not serve the people’s interest.

Finally, the opposition called for an urgent meeting between the leaders of the Federal Government, the regional states, presidential candidates, and members of the civil society to reach a broad agreement.

KON English News Desk