Feb, 5th 2021 – International partners have continued to mount pressure on Somalia to reach a consensus for the forthcoming election.
In a statement, the partners said, all of Somalia’s leaders must find consensus on electoral implementation as an urgent matter of national interest.
Led by the African Union Mission in Somalia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, European Union (EU), Finland, France.
According to a joint statement, it read, “We underscore that any alternative outcomes, including a parallel process or partial elections or other measures short of an agreed electoral process, would be a setback that would not obtain the support of partners.”
It added, “We, therefore, call upon all political leaders to prioritise finding a way forward without further delay.”
Puntland and Jubbaland last month agreed to join Somalia’s electoral process after pressure from the partners which forced them to participate in February’s election. The two regional states then nominated eight members each to the electoral committee.
The two states agreed to take part in the process after much persuasion by the international community. They however called for a meeting of the National Consultative Forum (NCF), before the end of January to address outstanding issues.