Somalia’s Leaders Urged to Implement New Elections Agreement

 

The United Nations (UN) on Monday urged Somalia's leaders to make a new election timetable to move forward with the election. The leaders agreed to conclude the long-delayed parliamentary and presidential elections by February 25.

Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimu, the spokesman of the prime minister, said that all involved in the electoral process should respect the rules to move forward with the election. However, a political stand-off between president Farmaajo and Mohamed Hussein Roble made some Somalis still sceptical. The two men have accused each other in recent days. The relationship between the two leaders deteriorated in recent days as they were seen lashing out at each other.

Delay in election

Somalia’s election is already delayed for several months. In recent months, a bitter rivalry between the two men postponed the election again. The long-running dispute between the two men started again last month when Farmajo tried to suspend Roble. Last year, opposition fighters opened fire in the streets of Mogadishu because the president extended his term. He did not hold any fresh elections in the country. Roble accused the president of using the armed forces to exert influence over the process.

The U.N. mission in Somalia said on Twitter it was "pleased" at the consensus reached during the meetings of the National Consultative Council. The U.N. office in Somalia urged Somali leaders to avoid provocations that risk new tensions or conflict in the country. The U.N. requested to not delay elections more.

Reportedly, the international community is afraid that the election delays and the Roble-Farmajo clash could tip the country deeper into crisis. Recently, the United States (US) urged Somalia to strengthen the electoral course and conduct speedy elections.

 

Election procedures in the country follow a complex indirect model. The state legislatures and clan delegates pick lawmakers for the national parliament. The lawmakers in turn choose the president.