UN Security Council issues statement on Somalia election dispute

Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 08:00 am

The United Nations Security Council has called on Somali leaders to resume talks immediately to prepare for new elections, hoping to resolve electoral disputes and resolve the country’s political crisis. The Security Council recommended that all parties in Somalia politics compromise in order to hold a credible and inclusive election

Since the end of last year, there has been a dispute over the election between the central government and the regional leaders.  The dispute over the composition of the electoral commissions was rooted in the Farmajo government’s mismanagement of non-partisan commissions including members of the military and civil servants, and was exacerbated by the situation of Gedo lawmakers and northern regional commissions.

In a statement approved by a majority, the 15-nation Security Council called on Somalis to “immediately resume their dialogue and work together, in the interests of the Somali people.” The world is worried that there will be a constitutional vacuum as President Farmajo’s term expires, due in part to his failure to prepare a timetable for the elections.

READ MORE: Somalia: Candidates’ Union “we will not recognize Farmajo as president from today 8 February

The statement urged leaders to “reach a consensus on the conduct of inclusive elections as soon as possible; and warned that the government would not come up with a plan for a snap election soon.”

Meanwhile, Britain called for a closed-door meeting a day after Somalia’s central and federal governments missed a deadline to proceed with the next presidential election. It is clear that the government has not yet come up with a compromise.

As a result of the dispute, the opposition said it did not recognize the authority of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, exacerbating the crisis in the nation. A statement said a national council is needed to create which consist of leaders of both houses and the candidates’ union.

The international community is watching the political crisis in Somalia as it is going through a difficult time and the elections have failed. U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price warned that delays in the election process “only increase the risk of instability.” This could lead to insecurity in the country.

“While this is an issue for Somalis to resolve, the United States sees the snap elections as crucial to Somalia’s future. Consensus can be reached,” Price told reporters.

The Security Council also condemned the renewed violence by the jihadist group Shebab and reaffirmed its support for the territorial integrity of Somalia – where Somaliland declared its independence in the 1991 war.