Somalia: Foreign diplomats visit Federal States for talks over next elections

JOWHAR, Somalia - Representatives of the AU, EU, IGAD, and UN arrived in Hirshabelle State on Wednesday, in the second of a series of consultative meetings in the Federal Member States, Garowe Online reports.

As 2019 draws to a close, the foreign diplomats are reflecting on the progress made this year, and looking ahead to 2020 as a critical year for Somalia in the journey to for ‘one-person, one-vote’ election.

The delegation landed in Jowhar town to engage with a range of stakeholders, including HirShabelle state authorities to hear their views on how key national priorities can be achieved in the coming 2020.

The country has numerous challenges obstacles to hold universal suffrage election next year, including finalization of the Federal Constitution, security, ongoing political crisis and the fight against Al-Shabaab.

Ahead of this critical year, representatives of some of Somalia’s multilateral partners are engaging with national authorities, Federal Member States, elders, and civil society as they seek an inclusive approach.

The international partners encouraged all Somali leaders, institutions, and communities to engage in dialogue to agree on a way forward and to cooperate to realize the priorities for the year ahead.

“We look forward to hearing from the Federal Member States as we continue our visits, and we look forward to supporting Somalia to fulfill the national priorities it has committed to in 2020,” read a statement released by the partners today.

The main political parties in Somalia warned of illegal extension of the presidential and parliamentary term and are joining forces to put pressure on current leaders to hold the elections within the stipulated deadline.

GAROWE ONLINE