Somalia: Solve differences through compromise and complete elections, Somali leaders told

Somalia leaders urged to 'accelerate' election process after long delays [ABDIRAHMAN YUSUF/AFP]

The leadership of Somalia should put focus on completing elections instead of triggering "unhelpful" wrangles, members of the international community have urged, while calling for compromise for smooth flow of the polls which are past schedule.

A tussle has yet again erupted between outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble over the security of the elections, further threatening to delay the Lower House leadership polls scheduled for Wednesday [today].

To avert the crisis, Security minister Abdullahi Nor has "suspended" Police chief Major General Abdi Hassan Mohamed Hijar, who he accused of "sabotaging" the exercise. On his part, PM Roble asked African Union Transition Mission [ATMIS] to take charge of security.

But Farmajo, who has been persistently accused of plotting to disrupt the exercise, insisted ATMIS can only play a supportive role. The international partners have lauded the country for completing Upper House leadership elections which saw veteran politician Abdi Hashi re-elected as speaker.

"As elections for the Speakers and Deputy Speakers of Parliament take place this week, Somalia’s international partners urge that these processes conclude peacefully. We welcome the election of the Speaker and Deputies of the Upper House on 26 April 2022," read the statement.

The partners now want the exercise to be completed soonest for the country to move on, a year later. For this to happen, the partners insist, that both parties should embrace tolerance and compromise, adding that the focus should immediately turn to national issues.

"After the long delays already experienced in Somalia’s electoral process, recent political tensions and security incidents must not be permitted to disrupt its final stages," stakeholders noted.

"We urge all Somali leaders to exercise restraint, resolve differences through compromise, and avoid escalation of any incidents. Somalia’s urgent focus must be to conclude the electoral process calmly and credibly so that duly elected leaders can address key national priorities."

On Wednesday, PM Roble, who has been in Geneva, Switzerland arrived in the country and immediately summoned a number of political players for an emergency meeting. It's not clear if elections of Lower House leaders will go on due to confusion emanating from key government officials.

GAROWE ONLINE