Somalia’s political crisis deepens when the opposition rejects the election plan
MOGADISHU, Somalia – Opposition candidates in Somalia are urging the international community to recognize the president as a spoiler, a day after the disputed election commission announced voting dates.
In a statement, 14 presidential aspirants accused Farmajo of posing a threat to the country’s stability after failing to hold a free and fair election at the end of his four-year term, which expired in February 2021.
They have condemned the decision by the “unconstitutional” federal election implementation team (FEIT) to unveil the election plan on Wednesday, describing the movement as the beginning of the election.
“He [President] decided to hold an election where both player and referee are, ”the statement reads in part, adding that Farmajo assumes full responsibility for the consequences of a disputed election.
This followed the FEIT announcement on the timetable for the Senate elections from the parliaments of the federal Member States, which it said will begin next week and end between 31 December 2020 and 6 January 2021.
The Commission failed to declare the dates for the 275-member chamber of the federal parliament and presidential election, but said the selection of election delegates will start on January 7.
The opposition warned federal member states against participating in a controversial election process that could lead to instability in their regions, as Farmajo ignores advice to address stakeholder concerns.
The current electoral standoff caused the lack of deadline to hold parliamentary elections on December 1 this year, and the opposition maintained to demand reforms in federal and state electoral bodies.
Somalia is currently at a crossroads as the country’s insecurity remains active, with Al-Shabaab and other militant groups continuing to destabilize many parts of the country and trying to prevent democratic elections.
AXADLETM
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