Against all odds, PM Roble vows to hold elections in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Even before the much anticipated pre-election meeting between the federal government and member states, Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble has pledged to ensure elections are held in time, arguing that it's the only solution towards solving the current impasse.

The country's leadership had slated May 20 for dialogue following pressure by the international community, which had rebuked Lower House's decision to extend President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo's term. The decision has since been rescinded.

And on Wednesday, Roble held a meeting with representatives of the international community, where he revealed that he had agreed to "prepare the country for elections based on the 17th September agreement".

All federal states, the Banadir region administration, and the Federal Government of Somalia had signed an agreement on September 17 last year where a model of elections was agreed upon. The country settled for the advanced clan-based model.

To ensure a peaceful and transparent electoral process, Roble said, "my government is committed to the implementation of a comprehensive election security plan and enacting an impartial and inclusive Election Security Task Force that performs tasks impartially".

The international community is almost growing impatient after the country failed to go to elections from December last year as agreed earlier. Among others, a number of stakeholders had accused the FGS of imposing Villa Somalia-allied Electoral Committee members.

For the country to move forward, Roble noted, proper implementation of the September 17 pre-election deal and the Baidoa recommendations were necessary. The PM had been allowed by Farmajo to plan for elections following complaints about possible interference by Villa Somalia.

"For the sake of Somalia’s long-term stability and prosperity the only conceivable impediment to the holding the election remains the finalization of the 17th September agreement through the Baidoa technical agreement," he said.

"I would like to call upon the UN and our international partners to begin discussions on supporting the implementation of the election process in terms of logistics, technical and financial support," added the PM.

The opposition and some member states particularly Puntland and Jubaland had threatened to boycott talks arguing that the international community should mid-wife the process for the sake of transparency and accountability.

GAROWE ONLINE