Opposition alliance boycotts Somalia’s election, citing lack of transparency

They urged the international community to intervene in the election crisis in the Horn of Africa country before the situation gets out of control.

News Keydmedia Online
1 December 2021

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The failure to hold a timely and inclusive election this year brings Somalia to the brink of a conflict, in yet another major setback to the state-building process. 

The Union of Somali presidential candidates has issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon following a series of talks condemning the irregularities in the parliamentary election in Somalia.

"The council of the presidential candidates calls on Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble to suspend the elections and convene a meeting of the leaders of the National Consultative Assembly, the Union of Candidates, civil society, and the international community to address the ongoing electoral fraud and correct the mistake," the statement said.

The opposition coalition said the election "lost credibility" after it was marred by naked vote-rigging, malpractice, and massive interference from both Villa Somalia and regional leaders.

"What is going on cannot be described as an election because of the naked looting of the parliamentary seats, which could lead the country to political turmoil, instability, and insecurity," they said, adding that the PM has turned a blind eye to the growing concerns over the electoral fraud.

They urged the international community to intervene in the election crisis in the Horn of Africa country and point the finger at the spoilers of the Sep 17 deal before the situation gets out of control. The opposition vowed to use any means to prevent the election from being rigged.

Sources within the opposition confirmed to Keydmedia English that the Candidates are mulling the formation of a "National Transitional Council" to take charge of the country and avert a civil war.

Somalia has been trying to recover from three decades of conflict with the fragile government battling Al-Shabaab insurgents who pose a potent threat to national security and international community-backed efforts to rebuild the country.

KEYDMEDUA English