IGAD lauds pre-election deal in Somalia, calls for genuine implementation

DJIBOUTI - The Intergovernmental Authority for Development [IGAD] has called for full implementation of the pre-election deal that was signed by the Federal Government of Somalia and other stakeholders ahead of the elections, which were scheduled to take place from early December.

In a communique issued after the 37th extraordinary summit that was chaired by Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok on Sunday, IGAD said it "welcomed, the Somali-led and Somali-owned 17th September 2020 Agreement and the Gulf Protocols signed between the Federal Government and the Federal Member States’ leaders".

Despite the agreement, elections are yet to start in the country following a host of accusations and counter-accusations from the government and the opposition, further derailing the democratic process.

The opposition accuses President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo of plotting to rig elections by using NISA agents and his loyalists in the electoral committee.

But in a rejoinder, the federal government of Somalia has often dismissed the claims and even insisted that elections should go on as planned. Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble has been moving around the country asking federal member states to participate in the polls as initially agreed.

And IGAD now wants the two warring parties to drop their hard stances and embrace dialogue, arguing that stakeholders should "resolve any electoral management disputes through confidence and consensus building in a manner that respects the spirit of the Dhusamareb process and the Agreement of 17th September 2020 on the revised election model".

Further, the team wants implementation protocols to be laid down so that "timely elections embraced by the Somalia people can take place". The electoral timeless dictates that parliamentary elections were to take place from early December while the presidential elections were scheduled for February 8, 2021.

The union of presidential candidates has often accused FGS of being hell-bent to violate the agreement which was embraced by all parties. President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo is serving his first term and has since expressed interests to defend his seat amid growing criticism and dissatisfaction from his opponents.

IGAD also appreciated the efforts by the AMISOM and the Somali National Army to defeat Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda linked group that is keen to topple the fragile UN-backed Somalia administration. Already, the US Africa Command troops have started leaving Somalia after several years of service.

"IGAD appreciated the efforts and milestones registered by Somalia Security Forces with the support of AMISOM in containing and combatting Al Shabab," read the communique, which also focused on other crises across the Horn of Africa particularly in Ethiopia and Sudan.

Further, IGAD commended the resumption of the talks between the Federal Republic of Somalia and Somaliland and appreciated the role of regional leaders and the region in hosting and facilitating the talks.

GAROWE ONLINE