Time running out, U.S tells Somali leaders over delayed elections

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The US has warned that time was running out for Somalia to conduct elections and called on the country’s leaders to reengage and unlock the ongoing political stalemate.

“Time is running out. We urge the FGS and FMS leaders to meet now, do the right thing for the people of Somalia, and complete this election,” the US embassy said in a tweet Tuesday.

The remarks come in the backdrop of several failed talks between outgoing president Mohamed Farmaajo and Federal Member State presidents. Villa Somalia announced Tuesday the planned resumption of talks for Thursday but it is not clear if Puntland and Jubbland both of which have demanded Farmaajo resign first will be attending.

Meanwhile, the international community including the US have separately lauded the talks between Prime Minister Mohamed Roble and the Council of Presidential Candidates (CPC) which happened in Mogadishu Monday.

“After the successful meeting on 25 February, the partners appeal to the Prime Minister and the Council of Presidential Candidates to make further progress,” a joint statement released by the UN noted in part.

The two sides agreed to form two committees; one to investigate the claims by the opposition that security forces attempted to kill some of its members last week and the other to oversee the planning and logistics for an opposition protest set for March 6.

Villa Somalia Tuesday said a fresh round of talks between Farmaajo and the FMSleaders will be taking place on Thursday in Mogadishu. But Wadajir party leader who is a member of the CPC immediately fired back accusing Farmaaj of frustrating efforts for a consensus.

“Whenever a solution is imminent and an agreement is about to be reached, Farmajo spoils it. The question is: who’s supporting him in his spoiler bid? If there’s no one supporting him, then we need to take a united stance against this man who wants to create chaos for the country,” Abdishaur said in a tweet.

It was not immediately clear what instance the Wadajir party leader was referring to.