The model of election Somalia would hold this year has been the center of controversy among Somali government and regional leaders, with the latest talks in Kismayo resulted in no breakthrough Sunday, heaping worry that such misunderstanding would interrupt election plans.
Somalia’s government has proposed a presidential election in 2016;however, it dismissed the likelihood of holding popular elections due to security challenges.
Somalia’s government has proposed a presidential election in 2016;however, it dismissed the likelihood of holding popular elections due to security challenges.
Some of the country’s stakeholders suggested that selections of the country’s parliament should be based on the 18 regions while others wanted making selections in line with federal states, significant sticking points that attendants said complicated the talks.
No date has been set for the next round of talks to settle on the type of the election the country would hold.
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, his prime minster Omar Abdirashid and their delegates have reportedly walked out of the meeting and flown to Mogadishu, however, other leaders including Puntland president are spending Sunday night in Kismayo.
Puntland and Jubbaland leaders have earlier recommended holding the upcoming elections based on constituencies while leaders from Galmudug and South-western states dismissed the idea and instead called for 4.5 formula of election.
According to Somalia’s Provisional Federal Constitution, adopted in 2012, the mandates of the Somali Federal Parliament and of the Government would come to an end in August and September 2016,respectively.
The country still faces security challenges as the Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabab group continues to carry out violent attacks across Somalia by carrying out guerrilla attacks including suicide attacks and assassinations.
