Somalia under pressure to complete Lower House election

James Swan, UN envoy [L] and Somali PM Mohamed Hussein Roble [R] meeting in Villa Somalia [File photo]

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The federal government of Somalia is under pressure to conduct the remaining Lower House elections, a move that could bring to an end a long electioneering exercise, which has dragged for almost a year.

Somalia was set to hold elections in 2020 December but internal wrangles among local politicians have been it almost difficult, leading to several mediation efforts by members of the international community.

Already, only Somaliland state has kick-started elections of MPs [Lower House], with the remaining states yet to set rules and regulations. Two senatorial seats are yet to be filled, and at least 273 MPs are yet to be elected by delegates.

"We are deeply concerned about continuing delays in the Somali electoral process. While the recent start to the House of the People voting process is a positive development, the electoral timetable remains well behind schedule and needs to be accelerated," read the statement from international partners.

"We urge national and Federal Member State leaders and election management bodies to advance quickly to complete inclusive and credible House of the People elections before the end of 2021, respecting the 30 percent minimum quota for women. We also call on Galmudug authorities to immediately elect the two remaining seats to complete the Upper House electoral process."

The partners also lauded the recent truce between Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble and outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, following almost three months of sharp disagreements, which almost split the country.

Roble and Farmaajo had serious differences in the security and local elections, with the death of Ikran Tahlil, a junior employee within the National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA], with the mode of investigations being the center of disagreements.

"International partners note the recent announcement of a settlement in the dispute between the President and Prime Minister. We urge the two leaders to implement the agreed terms promptly and re-focus on national priorities, especially completion of the electoral process," the statement further read.

"International partners once again call for full and rapid implementation of the 17 September 2020 and 27 May 2021 agreements." Once the Lower House elections are completed, the MPs and senators will elect the president of the federal republic of Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE