UN, foreign embassies demand resumption of poll talks

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The international community has called for immediate resumption of talks among Somali leaders to unlock the ongoing stalemate and warned against ‘any parallel process’.

In a statement this morning, the UN and other international partners also expressed hope in resolving the electoral row.

“We call upon Somalia’s leaders to resume their dialogue urgently to reach final agreement permitting national elections to take place as soon as possible,” the statement read in part.

Noting that it supported dialogue to resolve the differences between the president and leaders of regional governments, the partners warned, ‘We once again underscore that any alternative  outcomes, including a parallel process or partial elections, or any other actions that lack broad agreement, would not obtain the support of partners.”

The remarks follow failed talks between President Mohamed Farmaajo and Federal Member States leaders in Dhusamareb. Farmaajo and Jubbaland leader Ahmed Madobe traded accusations on the failed talks.

Farmaajo’s stay in office lapses today with no agreement on sight as opposition groups call for the formation of a Transitional Council to take over the preparation of elections.

We call on Somalia’s political leaders to build on the positive aspects of the Dhusamareb discussions, and continue to work together to agree on the implementation of elections in the national interest,” the statement added.