MOGADISHU — In the final push to conclude the electoral process, Somalia’s international allies urged authorities to embrace discussion and consensus.
The African Union, the European Union, and the United Nations, among other Western nations, have expressed their delight that more than 91 percent of the seats in the House of the People have now been chosen. In a joint statement issued in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, the partners added, “We trust that this symbolizes unstoppable momentum to fulfill the remaining seats very soon.”
Only two regional states, Hirshabelle and Jubaland, have yet to complete the House of the People electoral process.
The partners urged the leaders to make the necessary dialogue and consultations a top priority in order to complete the electoral arrangements.
With the focus now turning to the convening of parliament in Mogadishu and election of the parliamentary speakers and then the national president, the partners urged the political leaders to ensure that these processes reflect wide consensus.
This, they said, is especially important for decisions on the location, security protocols, and anti-corruption measures for parliament’s election-related meetings.
“It is critical that procedures for this last stage of the election process have widespread support across the political spectrum and produce a legitimate result,” the partners said ahead of the April 14 exercise.
The partners recommended that preparations for the April 14 swearing-in go as quickly as possible, even as work on other unresolved issues like the remaining seats in Hirshabelle and Jubaland continues.
The partners stated that after the electoral process is through, Somalia would be able to focus on other pressing national issues, such as responding to the severe drought and ensuring security and prosperity in the coming years.
They however regretted the many electoral irregularities observed across the country and the disappointing failure to achieve the 30 percent quota for women’s representation in parliament required by the September 17, 2020 agreement.
The 54-member Senate and the 275 members of parliament from the Lower House are expected to jointly elect a new president later in 2022.