Somali leaders agree to finalize elections in 40 days

The leaders urged the national army to remain neutral in the politics while AMISOM – the African Union Mission in Somalia called to tighten security at the presidential palace which houses competing leaders.

News Keydmedia Online
9 January 2022

MOGADISHU, Somalia – The top political leaders in Somalia on Sunday announced they have agreed to hold a Lower House election within 40 days following six-day intense talks in the capital, Mogadishu.

Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, five regional leaders, and the mayor of Mogadishu signed an election agreement that aims to resolve the contentious issues in the country’s delayed elections.

According to the joint communique, the process of the Lower House election will be concluded by February 25, starting from January 15. Analysts say this is impossible due to the very narrow schedule.

The leaders urged the national army to remain neutral in the politics while AMISOM – the African Union Mission in Somalia called to tighten security at the presidential palace which houses competing leaders.

The National Consultative Council didn’t say a word on the division among the election commissions [FEIT and SEIT] and the fate of seven members of the electoral dispute body fired by the PM last month.

The NCC vowed a transparent and inclusive vote as each clan is given a chance to decide on its seat in the parliament with civil society and elders to have a say in the selection of the delegates picking the MP.

KEY POINTS:

• To publish the list of the names of the civil society and traditional elders selecting the electoral delegates before the election day.
• FEIT and SEIT must ensure that electoral delegates are coming from the clans belonging to the Lower House seats
• The candidates should get the right to run for the seats and campaign equally in their constituencies without manipulation and hindrance.

The talks were expected to decide who will be in charge of the national security, with the opposition calling for transferring it to the PM from Farmajo after the Dec 27 failed coup attempt. 

More questions were raised over the implementation of the pact, as the main challenges of the election still remain unresolved, including the disputes in Gedo and Hiran regions.

KEYDMEDIA English