US imposes visa restrictions on Somalia's elections saboteurs

WASHINGTON - Even before the conclusion of Somalia's troubled elections, the United States now targets those perceived to be saboteurs, in a deliberate move seeking to stabilize the Horn of Africa nation, which has been facing a myriad of challenges for three decades now.

The country is currently undertaking the crucial electioneering exercise, which had been delayed due to unprecedented internal wars. Somalia's outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo has often been accused of being the major obstacle to the delivery of transparent elections.

In a statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the best path toward sustainable peace in Somalia is through the rapid conclusion of credible elections. He stressed that the US is concerned with repeated delays and "procedural irregularities" which he adds hinders "democracy and stability".

Blinken announced the implementation of a policy under section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act that restricts issuance of visas to current or former Somali officials or other individuals who are believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Somalia.

This, he noted, includes "through violence against protestors, unjust arrests or intimidation of journalists and opposition members, and manipulation of the electoral process. Immediate family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions".

"This policy will apply to individuals who have played a role in procedural irregularities that have undermined the electoral process, who have failed to follow through with their obligations to implement timely and transparent elections, and who have targeted journalists and opposition party members with harassment, intimidation, arrest, and violence," he noted.

The United States rallied on the Federal Member States and the Federal Government to ensure the commitment to conclude elections by February 25 is adhered to, adding that further delay could be injurious to the process of stabilizing Somalia.

Both the US and other stakeholders have been keen to push for the implementation of electoral agreements in Somalia. Besides standoff within the executive involving Farmaajo and PM Mohamed Hussein Roble, the opposition has often raised concerns about the credibility of the entire exercise.

"Somalia’s national and federal member state leaders must follow through on their commitments to complete the parliamentary process in a credible and transparent manner by February 25, which will further lay the groundwork for responsive governance in Somalia," he observed. "The United States strongly supports the Somali people, and we are committed to working together to advance democracy and mutual prosperity for both of our countries."

Stakeholders previously warned that the elections feud could pave way for infiltration by Al-Shabaab who dominate most parts of rural central and southern Somalia. The militants have heightened their activities in the country for the past three months due to security lapses in Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE