Do the right thing, US tells Somalia's leaders amid electoral stalemate

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The United States of America has yet again urged stakeholders in Somalia to do the "right thing" for the sake of solving the current political impasse in the country, which threatens to plunge Somalia into another civil war after decades of unrest.

Washington has been one of the most committed international partners on matters of Somalia and has often faulted both sides for dragging the reconciliation process thus making it difficult for the country to move forward.

Somalia was supposed to go to polls from December last year but the outgoing government has failed to implement the September pre-election deal signed last year in Mogadishu, thus making it difficult for the people to choose their representatives.

In a statement, the US opined that time was running out for the two parties, adding that representatives from the Federal Government of Somalia and those from federal states should convene urgently and solve the quagmire.

"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 said, echoing sentiments of members of the international community.

Earlier, the international partners of Somalia had welcomed a few issues agreed upon by Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble and opposition leaders, calling for immediate implementation of the outcome for the sake of stability.

"International partners welcome the continuation of talks on 1 March between Federal Government of Somalia Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble and the Council of Presidential Candidates. After the successful meeting on 25 February, the partners appeal to the Prime Minister and the Council of Presidential Candidates to make further progress," read the statement.

"We also urge FGS and FMS leaders to hold the planned summit in the coming few days to confirm implementation plans for the 17 September agreement and conclude the review of the 16 February Technical Committee proposals so that the electoral process can begin without further delay."

But the union of presidential candidates now claims that President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo is keen to scuttle the agreement which had been reached, adding that it will not participate in the conference convened by Farmajo in Mogadishu on March 4, 2021.

GAROWE ONLINE