Breakthrough reported in talks as Somalia faces worst electoral dispute

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The current political crisis in Somalia could have a lasting solution following a meeting that brought together leaders of all five regional states, which are very important in the ongoing talks aimed at stabilizing the country.

Somalia is struggling with an artificial political crisis that has been engineered by the current administration, whose tenure expired in February, and which is not willing to facilitate a smooth transfer of power in the country.

But on Saturday, a successful meeting was held involving all five-member state leaders, with another one also involving the team and the opposition leaders. In fact, the opposition leaders have been questioning the current stalemate, arguing that outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo is responsible for the quagmire.

Today [Sunday], there is a lot of expectations that the current political leaders especially the five-member state's leaders will agree on key issues that could guide the country to the next elections, which have been significantly delayed.

A source has, however, told Garowe Online that a breakthrough has been reported in the talks between the five leaders of Somalia's Federal States in Halane and the sides agreed to attend the Afisyoni conference this week with sources indicated Farmaajo accepted Said Deni and Ahmed Madobe' preconditions for electoral talks.

The two regional leaders accuse Farmajo of frustrating smooth elections in the country, besides blaming him for failing to implement the September 17 pre-election deal, which among others, demanded the withdrawal of SNA soldiers from the Gedo region.

It's expected that the current administration and other political actors will agree on the date for elections in coming months, with the international community keen to have a solution in coming months. Somalia has struggled with instability for three decades.

GAROWE ONLINE