Somali leaders to discuss 2016 transition later this month

KISMAYO, Somalia, September 13, 2015(Garowe Online)-Somalia’s political leaders on Sunday failed to reach agreement on the format for transition in 2016, agreeing to meet on new models later this month, Garowe Online reports.

Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has pushed for fresh discussion after his government announced that no popular elections will be staged, yet signaled more legitimate process.

In late July, UN-backed central government said, it cannot lead the country towards ‘one person, one vote’ election, and drew ire from international partners and critics, mainly rival politicians.

Presidential spokesman Daud Aweys told journalists after stalled meeting in the southern port city of Kismayo that leaders will meet again on the pressing matter on 20^th of September.

Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali expressed reservation over a forum set to be held in the presence of United Nations envoy to Somalia, Ambassador Nicholas Kay and Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Tedros Adhanom, voicing for prior consultations.

Mohamud along with Southwest State President Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan and Interim Galmudug administration leader Abdikarin Hussein Gulled jetted back from Kismayo where they attended inauguration of newly re-elected Jubaland President, Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe) on Saturday.

As the mandate of the current government edges closer to expiration, key donors want that better option be agreed ahead of 2016 elections.

Mohamud is seeking re-election, boasting that his government dwindled Al Shabaab’s grip in central and southern Somalia.

Nevertheless, critics accuse him of power abuse, pervasive corruption and poor leadership.

Somali government forces aided by African Union peacekeepers dislodged militants from a string of strategic towns. 

GAROWE ONLINE