US increases pressure on Somali leaders to reach consensus on elections

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The United States has stepped up pressure on Somalia's political leaders to reach a consensus on the country's electoral standoff as election talks underway for the second day in Dhusamareb city.

In the latest statement issued on Thursday, the US embassy in Mogadishu urged the central government and its Federal Member states to engage constructively to agree on the national electoral process in line with the 17 September model. 

"The Federal member states and Federal Government of Somalia must resolve all differences and carry out on-time #elections with no partial or alternate processes," said the US in a tweet.

Somalia's Federal States of Jubaland and Puntland and opposition candidates have been at loggerheads with President Farmajo over several contentious issues related to the election, mainly SNA forces in Gedo, the inclusion of Spy agents and civil servants in the poll body.

On the other hand, the country's international partners have issued a joint statement to welcome the commencement of the fourth round of talks between the FGS and FMS leaders.

"We underscore that any alternative outcomes, including a parallel process or partial election, or other measures short of an agreed electoral process, would be a setback that would not obtain the support of partners. We, therefore, call upon all political leaders to prioritize finding a way forward without further delay," reads the statement in part.

In addition, the International partners again call on all of Somalia’s leaders to find consensus on electoral implementation as an urgent matter of national interest.

GAROWE ONLINE