Somalia Must Hold Its Long Overdue Elections

The United States is deeply concerned by the electoral impasse in Somalia, which is creating political uncertainty that threatens security, stability, and development in the country.
A
delay in Somalia’s electoral process has created a political crisis in Somalia.
“The United States is deeply concerned by the electoral impasse in Somalia,
which is creating political uncertainty that threatens security, stability, and
development in the country,” said Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a
written statement.
According
to Somalia’s provisional constitution, parliamentary and presidential elections
must be held within the government’s four-year electoral mandate.
In
September 2020, President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, who is also know as Farmaajo,
and Somalia’s five Federal Member State leaders agreed on a framework for
holding elections, but implementation has broken down as the parties have
accused one another of seeking to manipulate the process to their benefit.
Multiple rounds of negotiations to resolve the electoral impasse have failed,
resulting in political gridlock.
President
Farmaajo’s mandate expired February 8, but he has remained in office, citing
Parliament’s decision when it endorsed the September 2020 election framework
agreement to extend his mandate and its own until elections are completed.
President
Farmaajo has thus far refused demands from opposition forces that he cede
control over the election process and security institutions, as was the
practice during delays in political transitions in 2012 and 2016. This has
increased tensions and prospects for violence, and clashes between federal
security elements and opposition-affiliated clan militias broke out in
Mogadishu February 19 in advance of and during opposition-led protests against
the government. This is a dangerous situation and must be resolved immediately.
“We call on Somalia’s federal and member state leaders
to set aside narrow political objectives, uphold their responsibilities to the
people of Somalia, and agree to immediately hold transparent and inclusive
elections,” said Secretary of State Blinken.
“The
current impasse undermines progress made to date, delays reforms urgently
needed for Somalia to continue on the path to full debt relief, and hinders the
fight against terrorism. The United States supports the right of Somali
citizens to protest peacefully and firmly opposes the use of violence by any
party. We urge Somalia’s leaders to safeguard the country’s future and find
agreement to immediately conduct parliamentary and presidential elections.”