MOGADISHU, Somalia Aug 14 2012 (Garowe Online) – UN
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has expressed concern over the Somalia political
elections which has seen delays recently, Garowe Online reports.
In a statement by the Secretary General’s spokesperson, he
called upon the Somali leaders to finish the
transition on schedule and to deliver a
government to the Somali people.
“He calls upon the Somali political leadership,
the traditional Elders and other parties to rise above their differences and to
act in the best interest of the Somali people."
Fears of intimidation and bribery of traditional
elders and members of the Technical Selection Committee (TSC) who will select
the parliament have been stated before by members of the international
community, and were reiterated by UN Chief Ban Ki-moon.
According to previous agreements the new federal parliament
was supposed to be sworn in by August 4th however setbacks in the
constitutional assembly has delayed the political process and could threaten to
delay the presidential elections which are scheduled for August 20th.
UN Special Representative for Somalia Augustine Mahiga
in an interview with the BBC on Monday stated that he was confident that the
political process would end on schedule.
“We are currently working to complete the
selection of the 275 members of parliament by this week who will by next week
select the Speaker of Parliament, Prime Minister and President and we are
confident that the transition will end on time,” said Ambassador Mahiga.
The political process has been stained by
accusations of intimidation and coercion by political hopefuls and current
politicians looking for seats in the new government of Somalia.
GAROWE ONLINE
