NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 29 – The much-anticipated elections in the Federal Republic of Somalia has been described as a battle for the soul of the horn of Africa nation after leaders failed to strike a consensus on how the polls will be conducted.
Division amongst opposition political leaders has been rife, the only constant so far, in what many hoped would be a peaceful exercise is the scramble for power.
International observers are meanwhile urging leaders to put aside their personal ambitions and settle on a national interest approach that will finally resolve the impasse.
The impasse was a result of the failure to provide a listing of polling officials expected to conduct the elections.
In what seems to be light at the end of the tunnel, the regional states of Jubbaland and Puntland have nominated eight members each to the electoral committee.
Though the move was seen as progress in the right direction by international partners supervising and funding the February 8 elections, Somalia is not out of the woods just yet.
The two states have demanded a meeting of the National Consultative Forum (NCF) to iron out existing issues.
The United Nations mission in Somalia alongside other partners has welcomed the move by Puntland and Jubbaland to nominate election officials saying though overdue, the move will create conditions for the rapid implementation of the September 17 electoral model in an inclusive and consensual manner.
The September 17 agreement saw the member states of Galmudug, Hirshabelle, SouthWest state, Jubbaland, and Puntland including the mayor of Mogadishu agree to make several changes to the three previous election agreements.
The federal government and regional states agreed to appoint electoral commissions at each level of government to manage the elections.
“The partners call for a single agreed electoral process – without parallel or partial alternatives – that will be conducted peacefully with the protection of political space and media freedom, guarantees the 30 percent women’s quota, and results in a credible and inclusive outcome that serves the national interest,” the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) said in a statement.
UNSOM membership is drawn from African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, and the United Nations.
Earlier on Puntland had refused to nominate their electoral committees saying that they were infiltrated by spy agents and loyalists to President Mohammed Abdullahi alias Farmajo who is seeking a second term in office.
Jubbaland meanwhile refused to take part in the process, demanding the federal government to withdraw its troops from the Gedo region where troops from the Somalia forces clashed with its troops for weeks. Heavy gunfire has been reported in the Gedo region.
“Holding timely, credible elections is a vital element of the partnership between Somalia and the international community. International partners urge all Somali leaders to make fair compromises necessary to ensure credible elections,” UNSOM said.
With fears of a parallel election seemingly diminished, Somalians now hope that the February 8 presidential polls will usher in a wave of change and continued stability.
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