Somalia's political leaders to hold talks on pre-election standoff

MOGADISHU, Somalia - As part of the efforts to harmonize some of the suggestions on the model of elections, Somalia's stakeholders are expected to meet on Tuesday for a meeting, which is expected to iron out most of the differences.

Multiple sources tell Garowe Online that there have been consultations on the status of outgoing President participation, whose term expired on Feb 8, and whether to include other interested parties, which have not been invited.

For Farmajo, organizers are confused on whether to allow him in as the president of the country or a presidential candidate in the upcoming elections. His critics want him to participate as a presidential candidate given his term expired.

And the team is also juggling with suggestions on whether or not to allow in the opposition team, which has been pushing for change in the country. The team is led by former Presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe said Somalia's electoral process always needs the support of international partners who invested much in the state-building. The partners are credited for the milestone made so far in the Horn of Africa nation.

Before Tuesday's meeting, there have been various formal gatherings including those involving the five federal state leaders, who have been finding a common solution to the current electoral impasse in the country.

Somalia was first set to hold elections in December last year but the process has been deliberately delayed after the current administration failed to implement the September 17 pre-election deal, which had given a framework for the elections.

GAROWE ONLINE