MOGADISHU, Somalia – The United States has moved from soft language to threatening in statements to the leaders of the war-torn Horn of Africa.
Since the country entered the election period, the United States has stepped up pressure on the leaders of federal states in Somalia amid a growing electoral path in the country.
On Sunday, the U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu posted a statement on its Twitter handle that gave the deadlines after ordering federal leaders to stay in the city until the dispute is resolved.
“Mistakes are not an option,” the United States said, stating to stakeholders that the people await peaceful and inclusive elections to avoid a power vacuum and political chaos in Somalia.
The United States seems to have shifted its tone to Somali leaders in recent months as the State Department this week called on leaders to pay tribute to their ‘narrow political goals and hold’ transparent and inclusive elections.
Meanwhile, the international partners reiterated their call for the summit between the Federal Government of Somalia and the leaders of the federal member states to reach agreement on the contentious electoral issues.
The partners have invited federal heads of state to the meeting and promised that it will be held in the protected area of Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport after concerns over security issues.
As the foreign diplomats are working on facilitating talks, Somalia announced that outgoing President Farmajo called for a dialogue that started on March 22 without consultation with other leaders.
Leaders disagree on how to implement the election model on September 17, 2020 and proceed to elections without delay. Farmajo was accused of derailing the trade and acting differently.
“We see no viable alternative to the implementation of the election model on September 17 on a rapid timeline for conducting peaceful, inclusive, free, fair and credible elections. “International partners will not support a partial or parallel electoral process or any initiatives that lead to an extension of previous mandates,” the statement said.
International partners say they will continue their efforts to bring Somali stakeholders together. “We reiterate our commitment to support the implementation of the electoral process once the details have been agreed.”
AXADLETM
