GOOBJOOG NEWS|BRUSSELS:   The European Union has expressed regrets over failure by Somali leaders to strike a deal for elections to go forward and warned against any term extension.

EU Vice President Josep Borrell said in a statement the country’s leadership should go back to the table echoing similar concerns by the U.S, UN and other foreign embassies in the country.

“The current political stalemate is damaging the confidence of the European Union in the progress of Somalia,” Borrell said adding that the failure to reach an agreement was ‘extremely serious and not in the interest of the citizens of Somalia.’

The EU’s reaction follows similar concerns raised jointly and separately by foreign envoys in the country including UN head James Swan and US ambassador to Somalia Donald Yamamoto.

Borrell also warned against any term extension for President Mohamed Farmaajo and poured cold water on proposals by the opposition for a Transition Council.

“Any parallel or partial process or an extension of the current mandate of the institutions, which is not technical in nature would be considered as a severe setback.”

Meanwhile, the UK has called for an emergency UN Security Council to discuss the Somalia situation. The AFP reported that the UK which currently chairs the Council requested for the meeting to up pressure on Somali leaders to agree on a deal.