Somalia’s Leadership Forum agree on the electoral process

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Following extended talks, Somalia's political leaders have agreed on an inclusive roadmap for the forthcoming elections due to be concluded on October 30, Garowe Online reports.   

The National Leadership Forum (NFL) Conference was held in the capital Mogadishu, chaired by the Somali President Hasan Sheikh Mohamud and participants included Parliament Speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari, Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke and leaders of Puntland, Jubaland, Galmudug and Southwest states have all endorsed the roadmap for the electoral process of the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections set to start soon. 

 According to the document (Communiqué) received by GO, the NFL leaders have reaffirmed to adhere to the elections timetable, urged both Federal and States electoral implementation teams to swiftly prepare and timely implement the electoral process.    

They ensured their commitment for fair women representation in the Lower and Upper Houses and called elections implementation committees to ensure woman 30% quota in the upcoming electoral process. 

The leaders also agreed to set the Upper House seats to its original 54 seats in line with the country’s constitution.    

They called stakeholders and clans elders from Hiiran and middle Shabelle regions to cooperate and rapidly conclude the ongoing dialogues for Hiran-Middle Shabelle state formation process to complete country’s Federal process.     

Over the course of discussion, political leaders have agreed to establish “National Security Commission”, chaired by Somalia’s Federal Government President along with Parliament Speaker, Federal Government Prime Minister, and Presidents of Federal member states, Federal Ministers of Security, Foreign Affairs, Justice and Finance.   

Somali Leaders have appealed to the International community and donors to continue its support to ensure holding the upcoming Somali elections as scheduled.   

This was the last NLF conference to be held as Somalia will prepare for the parliamentary and presidential vote set to conclude on October 30.

Meanwhile Somalia’s President Mahmoud -whose term has expired in 10 September- is facing stiff opposition from other presidential contenders who have called him to step aside and hand over power to the Parliament Speaker in line with the country’s constitution.    

 GAROWEONLINE