Somalia is under pressure to hold elections and put the country on track to economic recovery, a peaceful political transition and save it from uncertainties that would embolden al Shabaab.
Mogadishu was a subject of emergency meetings both at the African Union Peace and Security Council and the UN Security Council this past week, where it was agreed that leaders must find consensus and address crucial sticking points, with a warning against “parallel” processes that will not attract universal support.
The country reached a crossroads last Monday (February 8) after President Mohamed Farmaajo completed his four-year term with no elections held to determine if he continues for a second term or gets replaced. And sources told The East African that there are worries that delayed elections could hurt budgetary stability, including financial support from donors.
Mohamed Abdirazak, Somalia’s Foreign and International Minister told both the AU and the UN that Somalia’s transition clauses will help the country navigate the crisis.
“There is constitutional order in Somalia, and 2021 will be a pivotal year for us as we strive towards realizing our goals on security and democracy,” he said, referring to a parliamentary law passed last September, allowing all incumbents to stay in office until new leaders are voted in.
But these assurances are not convincing, with the US and the EU, two of Somalia’s biggest state-rebuilding donors, warning that an impasse could slow down recovery.
By Hussein Jama
February 15, 2021
