US Senator warns of imminent risk of bloodshed in Somalia

Menendez, who is the Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the statement after Farmajo’s mandate expired without an agreement on the conduct of the scheduled elections.

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US Senator warns of imminent risk of bloodshed in Somalia

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez has voiced alarm over the escalating electoral crisis in Somalia and the real risk of bloodshed as a result of the current political deadlock.

Menendez, who is the Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the statement after Farmajo’s mandate expired without an agreement on the conduct of the scheduled elections.

He said the current impasse between Farmajo, leaders of the Federal Member States, and opposition candidates threatens the Somali people’s hard-fought political and economic gains over the last decade, placing the broader stability of the country in grave jeopardy.

Senator Bob Menendez has called on all parties to immediately disengage from the politics of personal gain and resolve their remaining disagreements on the conduct of elections without delay.

“Any such agreement must adhere to principles of fair play and advance progress towards competitive, multi-party democracy in Somalia,” said Menendez.

Meanwhile, the U.S urged Somalia’s leaders to resume their dialogue urgently so that national elections can take place immediately after the Dhusamareb meeting flopped last Friday.

Speaking to the media, Ned Price, the State Department spokesman said the U.S. is deeply concerned about the absence of an election implementation agreement in Somalia with Farmajo’s term ended Feb 8.

The U.S. is a key ally of the Somali government in the fight against Al-Qaeda’s branch in East Africa, Al-Shabaab, and rebuilding the country’s national army [SNA] after three decades of lawlessness and chaos.

KON English News Desk

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