20 October 2021
Elections in Somalia have been delayed several times, and most of the previously scheduled election schedules have not been implemented, with only a majority of members of the Upper House elected.
Somalia’s parliamentary and presidential elections which we schedule to take place November 2020 and February 2021 respectively, have been delayed creating a political crisis in the country.
It is not yet clear when the parliamentary elections will begin and when the presidential election will be held, and delays in the elections have had a major impact on the country’s capital, Mogadishu, especially on the city’s economy and trade.
According to VOA, the business community in Mogadishu is facing new concerns, some of which have not previously been experienced.
Some business people in the country say they have been feeling the effects of the delayed elections in recent months; the elections have been delayed several times.
Ali Mohamed Osman, an economist who spoke to VOA, said the delayed elections have affected investment in the country.
“Complicated elections and political turmoil have had a negative impact on the investment in the business sector, whether it is wealthy individuals, expatriates and other international companies who do not want to invest at this time due to the uncertainty, ”said Ali Mohamed.
Uncertainty in the country has created strong concerns for traders and investors, leading to a sharp decline in trade in the country.
However, all of this comes at a time of political turmoil caused by disputes between the outgoing president and the prime minister in light of the Ikram Tahlil case.