Somalia: Roble hosts meeting with int'l partners amid election standoff

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia's caretaker Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble on Wednesday held talks with a few members of the international community amid pressure from the opposition to have the September pre-election deal implemented, as the country struggles with a political crisis.

Last year on September 17, a number of stakeholders met in Mogadishu where a clear roadmap to elections was reached, but to date, the country's leadership is yet to implement the plan, something which has triggered the current political stalemate.

The term of the current administration and that of parliament have already lapsed, creating a further crisis in the country. President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo's term ended on Feb 8, and several stakeholders are questioning his legitimacy.

On Wednesday, the meeting between Roble and members of the international community focused on the realization of elections within time besides the planned protests by the opposition. A number of opposition leaders maintain that anti-government projects will be held on Friday.

"I held discussions with representatives of the International Community regarding Federal elections: we explored the best ways via which we can concertedly overcome existing impediments, security and maintaining overall stability in the country," Roble said in a tweet.

Last week on Friday, protests erupted in Mogadishu as thousands of opposition supporters asked Farmajo and his entire government to step down. However, the protests turned chaotic after security forces opened fire, triggering condemnation from members of the international community.

GAROWE ONLINE