Somalia: FMS leaders arrive in Mogadishu ahead of conference

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The final phase of talks over Somalia's much-anticipated elections will kick off today [Thursday] after key stakeholders arrived in the capital Mogadishu, hours after President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo announced September 10, 2020, as the date for the talks.

For several months now, Somalia leaders have expressed concerns over preparations for elections following emerging issues on the model among other topical issues, something which hugely divided the leadership. There were claims that Farmajo was keen to have his term extended.

With limited time on their side, three regional leaders, Farmajo and Mogadishu Mayor Omar Filish had settled on the Constituency Caucus model, which is an improved version of 4.5 or the clan-based electoral model. However, the absence of Jubaland and Puntland administrations derailed implementation.

On Wednesday, Abdiaziz Lafta-Gareen [Southwest], Mohamed Abdi Waare [HirShabelle], and Ahmed Kariye alias Qoorqoor of Galmadug arrived in Mogadishu for the crucial talks. The three joined Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni and his Jubaland counterpart Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe.

After their arrival in Mogadishu, Madobe and Deni had demanded the inclusion of their three counterparts in the final talks, arguing that the Mogadishu resolutions can only be binding if key stakeholders participate in the much-anticipated conference.

Before the arrival, the Galmadug, HirShabelle, and Southwest leaders met in Baidoa for a meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday but details of their meeting still remain sketchy. However, the three are close allies of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, who has previously been accused of using the "divide and rule" philosophy.

The international community and the United States of America are pushing for a compromise for the sake of unity and prosperity. Initially, the teams had been pushing for one-person-one-vote elections, but the National Independent Electoral Commission [NIEC] ruled out having them this year due to logistical challenges.

Also, with Villa Somalia also determined to have the universal suffrage polls, Lower House, which has been at the center of the storm, sacked Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, who was a crucial link in the talks. His removal attracted retribution from the international community and regional players.

Farmajo has often insisted that he's ready for a timely election but he gave in to pressure from regional leaders over the pre-election conference given that he had not shown interest in attending the Dhusamareb conference. But in a statement recently, he insisted that he was looking beyond elections in Somalia.

“We are brothers beyond elections. Our progress as a nation will no longer be deterred by the electioneering period. Every leader counts, every input towards our election is truly valuable," he said recently in a statement which was published by Villa Somalia.

The talks on Thursday will also kick off amid the claims that the federal government of Somalia had agreed to withdraw Somali National Army [SNA] troops from Gedo, a region within Jubaland. Their presence had contributed to the strained relationship between Kismayo and Mogadishu.

Farmajo's term will elapse in November but he's eligible to seek a second term. Somalia has been struggling to form a people-driven government in as many years, and the situation deteriorated when military ruler Siad Barre has toppled about three decades ago following a coup.

GAROWE ONLINE