Somali leaders convene in central town for election talks

Sources say there is little hope for the ongoing meeting to yield fruits, as some issues on the agenda are difficult for the heads of the Federal States and the government to settle unless Farmajo compromises.

News Keydmedia Online
3 February 2021

DHUSAMAREB, Somalia - The top leaders of the Federal Government and regional states have on Wednesday convened in Dhusamareb to discuss the contentious issues over Somalia’s elections.

The conference is the fourth to be held in the central city since last year as the country’s political leaders remain divided over the implementation of the Sep 2020 election agreement signed in Mogadishu.

Sources say there is little hope for the ongoing meeting to yield fruits, as some issues on the agenda are difficult for the heads of the Federal States and the government to settle unless Farmajo compromises.

The forum was earlier scheduled to start on February 1 but was postponed to give the delegates time to arrive in the central Somali town which was attacked by Al-Shabaab with mortar shells on Monday night.

The main issues on the table include the 13 seats in the Senate allocated to the capital, withdrawal of SNA forces from Gedo, and allow the electoral body for Somaliland to be decided by speaker Abdi Hashi.

President Farmajo whose mandate ends in 5 days has been accused of not willing to reach an agreement on the disputed issues in the country as is seeking to retain power beyond 2021 as a new dictator.

KON English News Desk