Somalian political leaders on Thursday agreed on a framework to conduct long-delayed elections in the country, hoping to avert a crisis that could push the fragile Horn of Africa country into political violence, reported Africa News.
After four days of talks in Mogadishu, Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble and the leaders of five regional states signed an agreement on Thursday that chalked a path to parliamentary elections to begin within 60 days. As per the agreement, the elections will be held within the next 60 days, with each region conducting the vote in two venues.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Roble said the government is committed to implementing the agreement.
“My government is reassuring to the country’s political stakeholders and to the Somali people that my government will hold free and fair indirect elections in line with this agreement,” the Somalian president said. “Of course, we are all responsible to ensure women get their 30% quota.”
The election was initially planned in February, but disagreements over preparations delayed the polls. President Mohamed Abdullahi, then, decided to postpone the polls for two years, allowing him to stay in power during the interim period.
In April, the lower house of parliament agreed to extend the president’s four-year term by another two years. The move sparked widespread opposition led by two former presidents and renowned political figures. The opposition accused him of packing regional and national electoral boards with his allies.
It was feared that the political crisis could turn clans against each other and Al Shabaab, a militant group linked to al Qaeda, could exploit a security vacuum.
But amid mounting pressure from Western countries and uproar among opposition political leaders, President Abdullahi reversed the decision and canceled the presidential term extension, leading to a consultative national meeting led by the Somalian prime minister.
According to the agreement signed on Thursday, Roble and the five regional states will select members of the election committee by Sunday.
