Somalia leaders ink new election deal
MOGADISHU - Somalia’s key political stakeholders on Thursday signed a definitive agreement stipulating that the country will hold indirect elections within two months, meaning that polls are likely to be held before August this year.
The decision followed marathon week-long talks led by Prime Minister Hussein Roble. The new deal allows the country to go ahead with the delegate system of voting as earlier mooted, ending weeks of uncertainty.
Roble inked the deal on behalf of the Federal Government, while leaders of the federal member states signed for their regions.
Roble, who held the crucial role of chairing the meeting between federal government representatives and federal member states, said the signing marked a “golden day” for Somalia.
Roble’s success in having the leaders reach an agreement may have saved the country from potential political crisis. However, now
the leaders must return to their respective stations and implement the crucial bits of the deal.
These include the matter of security for the elections, preparation of venues and selection of delegates who will vote for MPs, who in turn will vote for the president of Somalia. Security arrangements was one of the issues that had stalled previous talks.
The agreement could also be personal victory for President Mohamed Farmaajo, who just a month ago was a leader at odds with his own people. His move to extend his term by two years was met with fierce opposition from rivals, Somalia's federal states and the international community.
After backing down from the term extension move, he nominated Roble to lead talks on elections, as well as manage its security. Farmaajo witnessed the signing ceremony. -