Preliminary talks on Somali’s impending elections began Saturday as leaders of this Horn of African nation met in Mogadishu to discuss an election, that has faced postponement.
Somali’s Prime Minister and leaders of the five semi-autonomous states, including mayor of Mogadishu have been discussing ways of easing tensions in the country.
Issues to be tabled for deliberations include the composition of the electoral commission and that of security.
It is still not clear what the duration of these preliminary discussions will be.
But sources have told AFP that finalization of the organization of the elections, including date for the vote, will be known on a yet to be announced second meeting date.
Somali leaders began negotiations Saturday aimed at organising new elections after the postponement of recent polls sparked one of the country's worst political crises in years.
Somali leaders open crucial election talks monitor.co.ug - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from monitor.co.ug Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Somali leaders open crucial election talks ewn.co.za - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ewn.co.za Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
MOGADISHU
In late April, after months of political tensions, forces loyal to Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed “Farmajo” exchanged gunfire in Mogadishu with those fighting for the opposition. The country teetered on the brink of all-out civil war.
The political crisis has come on top of a series of humanitarian disasters – the result of the long-running conflict with al-Qaeda linked insurgents al-Shabab, recent flash floods, and a predicted drought that, all told, will leave more than six million people in need of aid.
At the heart of the dispute has been Farmajo’s determination to stay in office for two years beyond the end of his term on 8 February, ostensibly to enable the holding of delayed elections. It was a move backed by the country’s lower house, but not the upper house, and a furious opposition – led by two former presidents – says the extension is simply a power grab.