The Biden administration imposed new visa restrictions on further Somalis on Wednesday, as the US exerts pressure on the African country’s leadership to finish long-delayed elections.
In a statement, the State Department announced the increase of visa restrictions to an undetermined number of Somalis, citing Somalia’s failure to meet a self-imposed deadline of Tuesday to complete parliamentary elections.
The US retaliation came after Somalia’s Federal Electoral Implementation Team postponed the publication of election results for both Houses of Parliament until March 31 on Tuesday night. Newly elected members of both Houses are now to be sworn in April 14.
President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed’s tenure ended in February, but presidential elections have been postponed due to disagreements between him and his prime minister, Mohamed Hussein Roble.
The presidential elections will be followed by parliamentary elections.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken suspended the issuing of visas to former and present Somali government officials on Feb. 8, the one-year anniversary of Mohamed’s tenure expiring.
While there has been progress in recent weeks in seating MPs, more than three dozen seats remain empty, according to Blinken.
There have also been genuine complaints of procedural violations, and journalists and members of opposition parties continue to be harassed, arrested, and violently attacked, he said.
“We will continue to assess additional designations under this policy and other instruments at our disposal to promote accountability and ensure a credible and transparent end to Somalia’s election process,” he added. “The United States is committed to cooperating with the Somali people to develop democracy and mutual prosperity.”