National consultative forum agrees to drop ministers from electoral commissions

Somali federal leaders and representatives of International community continue to discuss difficult agendas in second day of the consultative forum’s meeting In Baidoa.

Election commissions, women quota, Mogadishu status, finalizing the formation of remaining state dominated today’s talk.

Elections timelines, vetting elders and review of recently appointed federal level elections commission remains contentious points.

Somali president Hassan Sheikh sounded atomistic about the meeting and said his government is committed to give 30%   proposed quota for women in the parliament.

The forum also agreed to drop current serving federal and state ministers from election commissions.

“We have agreed to drop and exclude current serving ministers from the election commissions” said Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud.

Somali president appointed federal electoral commission topped by five current serving ministers last week. Now as forum agreed to drop current serving ministers president needs to reappoint the electoral commission.