FGS and FMS agreed on the remaining electoral issues, says Somalia FM

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The current electoral mayhem in Somalia may have after all been solved, it has emerged, following statements made by Foreign Affairs Minister Mohamed Abdirizak, but there were no such indications from the opposition, which has been calling for dialogue.

President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo's tenure lapsed on February 8, a move that has caused a constitutional crisis, which the leaders from both political divides are striving to solve. Elections were supposed to start in December 2020 but have been delayed due to internal political wrangles.

The technical committee representing both the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States on Tuesday reached an agreement on five key points thus suggesting a meeting on Thursday to discuss them, but none of the parties have confirmed participation.

But in an interview with TRT World, Mohamed Abdirizak said the leaders have agreed on a deal that could be unveiled in the next 48 hours but did not give further details. Villa Somalia is also yet to make any pronouncement with regard to the deal.

"Exclusive: Somalia's government has reached a deal to end its political deadlock, the agreement will be signed within 48 hours – Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdirizak tells TRT World," the media station tweeted.

However, in the last couple of hours, the opposition has been accusing outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo of "stalling" the reconciliation process in Somalia, with former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed also calling for protests this coming Friday.

On Wednesday, the international community urged stakeholders in the country to embrace consensus, adding that all parties should purpose to attend Thursday's meeting. The meeting had been suggested by the technical committee members.

"We welcome the 16 February announcement that the Technical Committee representing the Federal Government and the Federal Member States has identified technical solutions to issues that have delayed implementation of the 17 September electoral model, and that these have been submitted to the National Consultative Council," they said in a statement.

"The partners further welcome the Technical Committee’s call for the Federal Government and Federal Member State leaders to meet on 18 February, and urge these leaders to do so in order to conclude the Committee’s work, so that the elections can be organized as a matter of priority," they noted.

On Tuesday, the committee reportedly agreed on five key points that were submitted to the leadership of the country, suggesting that all stakeholders gather and discuss for the sake of getting a breakthrough. The current stalemate risks plunging Somalia into chaos.

Initially, Farmajo, whose term expired on Feb 8, called for a meeting in Garowe on Feb 15 but unfortunately, none of the stakeholders attended. Instead, a number of them wanted it moved to Mogadishu while others damaged that he attends as a former president or a presidential candidate.

The opposition has been accusing him of plotting to rig elections, arguing that he had installed his loyalists, civil servants, and NISA agents in the electoral committee. But Villa Somalia has repeatedly denied the claims, arguing that Farmajo is committed to delivering free and fair elections.

GAROWE ONLINE