MOGADISHU, Somalia – For over nine months now, several meetings have been held in the Federal Republic of Somalia over forthcoming elections that could determine the future of the nation of Horn of Africa, which has been fighting for decades.
Since 1991, there have been genuine efforts to find a lasting solution that includes the creation of both the Transitional Government and later the Federal Government, with the international community credited for these impressive gains.
But the last few months have been tough for the country, which is now juggling a political crisis that could create or break it. As a mediator, the international community has struggled to unite both sides of the political divide, but with little meaningful result.
The international partners who largely fund the poor nation stand between hard rock, even when the opposition and the states of Northeastern State and Jubaland are pushing to include the legitimacy of Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo on the agenda for resignation.
Already the federal government of Somalia [FGS] has issued a statement claiming that the conference talks in Afisyoni had collapsed, a move that was disputed by both Northeastern State and Jubaland, which FGS had described as a “stumbling block” to the ongoing reconciliation efforts.
In yet another joint statement, the UN, the European Union, Africa Union and IGAD expressed concern over the delayed talks, warning that the country is fighting against time for “redemption”, adding that “there is no luxury of time”.
The statement comes a day after the Somali federal government accused unnamed external actors of allegedly compromising the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, adding that “elections are national exercises”. It is difficult to say who Mogadishu was referring to.
Implementation of the agreement before the election
While distancing itself from the interference in Somalia’s internal affairs, the international community reiterated their “respect for Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity”.
Furthermore, the team called on Somali leaders “to prioritize Somalia’s national interest and return to dialogue immediately to seek compromise on the outstanding issues and to ensure that no action is taken that would undermine Somalia’s stability, which is critical to maintaining international peace and security “.
But according to analysts, the international community has for far too long “repeatedly called for compromise without any meaningful result”. In most of the statements, the team has often emphasized the same points repeatedly and asked serious questions about lasting solutions to the ant.
But it is the weight of the implementation of the agreement before the election on 17 September that could create further divisions given the current political climate. At the Afisiyooni Center recently, the agenda was one of the current topics on which the management did not agree.
Northeastern State and Jubaland, who have close ties with opposition teams, wanted the legitimacy of Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo discussed along with the shooting on February 19 in Mogadishu, but the Villa Somalia team insisted on the implementation of the deal before the election.
And in what appears to be agreement between the federal government in Somalia, the international community now wants the agreement to be implemented for the sake of stability and democracy in Somalia. The team, like FGS, wants Baidoa recommendations implemented.
“Emphasizes that the September 17 agreement remains the most sustainable way to hold elections with the shortest possible delay, and calls on the Federal Government and the federal member state leaders to review and validate the Baidoa Technical Committee on February 16, 2021,” reads the declaration.
President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo’s term of office expired on February 8, a move that had led to a heated debate over the legitimacy of his government. Farmajo was first elected in 2017 for a period of four years in accordance with the Constitution.
Concerns about the political stalemate
As in their endless press releases, the international community, integrated into the country’s socio-economic development, warned against parallel elections or partial elections in the country, which they insist could lead to more divisions.
Initially, the FGS had chosen to hold elections in Southwest, Hirshabelle and Galmadug, which are believed to be friendly states. However, Northeastern State and Jubaland were to be excluded from the process after opposing the original composition of the nomination committee.
The international community noted: “We reaffirm the decision not to support any parallel process, partial elections or new initiatives leading to any extension of previous mandates, and expresses serious concern that the political stalemate has a negative impact on peace. , security, stability and prosperity in Somalia and beyond. ”
The team also asked Somali leadership to work together for the sake of state-building and argued that the country through such a process may be able to hold credible and transparent elections as required by law.
“We urge Somali political leaders to continue the progress made in state – building and inclusive politics, in particular elections and peaceful transfer of power, and call on these leaders to deliver today the vital interests of the Somali people for peaceful, free, just and credible choices, “it said.” We urge all Somali leaders to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from actions that could lead to an escalation of tensions. ”
The country was first due to go to the polls, which started in December last year, but a lack of agreement has delayed the process. There are concerns from a number of stakeholders that such a stalemate would pave the way for al-Shabaab’s militant resurgence in areas that have been liberated.
AXADLETM
