National Leadership Forum to Kick off in Mogadishu

 Somali president and federal state leaders are expected to hold talks in the Somali capital of Mogadishu alter today, with diplomats from the international community over the country’s electoral process.

Sources privy to the itinerary said the leaders will discuss critical issues hindering the electoral process and support the electoral dispute body to ensure credible and fair election.     

Somalia’s ongoing parliamentary elections are moving their final stages.

In a statement sent to the Somali leaders two days ago, the UN Special Representative to Somalia, Michael Keating, emphasized the importance of the NLF meetings to deal with critical issues hindering the electoral process and support the electoral dispute body to ensure credible and fair election.     

“The NLF meeting is taking place at a time when the electoral process is at a critical juncture, a quorum has been obtained in both the Upper House and the House of the People,” read the statement.          

“Your support will be needed for the IEDRM as it investigates official complaints, resolves disputes and, where the evidence is compelling, addresses the worst instances of electoral abuse and malpractice.”

Last week, Somalia’s Federal Indirect Electoral Implementation Team (FIEIT), has made a reassurance that Somalia’s presidential elections will be held before the end of December.

The exact dates of the presidential election are not known.