Somalia’s president bows to pressure on pre-election gridlock

As his mandate expires on February 8, Farmajo faces blames that he has bypassed the electoral law by stacking the poll committee with his allies. The biased team set to manage the parliamentary elections.

News Keydmedia Online
30 January 2021

MOGADISHU, Somalia – The outgoing Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has agreed to convene the country's top stakeholders after meeting at his office with foreign diplomats on Saturday.  

This was confirmed in a statement by Villa Somalia - the presidential palace in Mogadishu - marking a significant development to end a protracted dispute over the elections between the political leaders.

Farmajo’s decision was reportedly greatly influenced by the United States which its embassy in Mogadishu posted a tweet on Friday, urging Farmajo and the Federal state's leaders to hold talks.

The embassy’s statement called on the leader to immediately resolve outstanding issues now to enable peaceful elections that the Somali people deserve, adding “No partial elections or parallel processes”.

The US, which has funded and trained the Somali army for many to be able to defeat Al-Shabaab has great influence in the country’s current politics more than the other foreign missions in Mogadishu.

As his mandate expires on February 8, Farmajo faces blames that he has bypassed the electoral law by stacking the poll committee with his allies. The biased team set to manage the parliamentary elections.

There are more than 14 candidates vying for the top seat in Somalia’s indirect presidential elections, which saw several delays in its schedule on December 2020 due to the standoff over the process.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of Somalia Mohamed Hussein Roble who was appointed Sept 2020 pledged he will address all concerns raised about the elections, which are scheduled for February 8.

It seems that the opposition presidential candidates were invited to the planned election talks due to kick off in Dhusamareb, Galmudug administrative capital on February 1 and end third of next month.

In addition, Farmajo said he will deliver a speech at parliament on February 5 on national progress especially on Federal elections.

KON English News Desk