AU Security Council meeting today over Somalia’s poll crisis

GOOBJOOG NEWS|ADDIS ABABA: The African Union Peace and Security Council is today discussing the political situation in Somalia following an ongoing electoral stalemate that has seen the term of the president unilaterally extended for two more years.

The continental ­body said it will be engaging from 10 am East African Time. The meeting follows outgoing President Mohamed Farmaajo’s visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday where he announced an AU intervention in the political stalemate.

Farmaajo had held talks with DRC’s Felix Tshisekedi who is the current chair of the African Union. “I welcome the African Union to take a leading role in facilitating an election process in which every citizen elects their representatives through free and fair elections. All Somali stakeholders will actively participate in the dialogue on the future of our democracy.” Farmaajo said.

The African Union has in the recent past jointly with the EU and the UN rejected term extension and instead rooted for a return to talks building on the September 17, 2020 agreement between the Federal Government and the Federal Member States.

The regional bloc IGAD said Wednesday it welcomed the intervention of the African Union but did not make reference to the September 17 deal. But an informal session of the UN Security Council Tuesday poured cold water on the extension move and demanded a return to talks.

“India called for the need for Federal Government and Federal states to resume dialogue and the need to implement the 17 September agreement and Baidoa declaration,” said Indian Permanent Representative to the UN, Mr TS Tirumurti.

Ireland also echoed India’s position calling for a return to talks. “Ireland calls on Somali leaders to urgently resume negotiations and hold inclusive and timely elections. AU leadership is essential. Peace and stability cannot be undermined for political gain.”