MOGADDISHU (Halbeeg News) – The government of UK has reiterated that it is respecting the sovereignty of Somalia and its people could hold the elections through consensus.
In a Twitter video, UK Ambassador to Somalia Ben Fender said his government is committed to work with Somalis to build their country.
The envoy affirmed that it is Somalis who could decide the fate of the elections in the Horn of Africa nation.
“We respect Somalia’s sovereignty. Who leads Somalia and its election arrangements are for Somalis alone to decide,” said Fender.
The ambassador called on Somalia’s stakeholders to respect and stick on the outcome of last month’s conference in central Somalia.
“It’s vital there should be inclusive political dialogue taking forward and building on the process agreed in Dhusamareeb,” he said. “I call on everyone to embrace that fully and in spirit of compromise.”
Last month, the leaders of the federal and state governments of Somalia agreed to form joint technical committee since federal Member State leaders had ruled out the possibility of one-man-one-vote elections to be held on time.
The leaders called for an alternative, inclusive model to be implemented before the government’s mandate expires.
The National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) chairperson Halima Yarey told parliament in late June that the commission needed up to 13 months to prepare a credible poll where Somalis will cast their vote individually.
The term of the current parliament ends December 27th, while the president’s mandate expires on February 8, 2021.
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