Somalia International partners on Monday welcomed the efforts made by Somali political leaders to find an agreement on implementation of the 17 September electoral model.
In a joint press statement, the international partners said the talks held in Dhusamareb between February 1 – 6 made progress on many important points, but did not reach consensus on all outstanding issues. They believe that it remains possible to reach consensus, and that all sides are open to further discussions. They are now calling upon Somalia’s leaders to resume their dialogue urgently to reach final agreement permitting national elections to take place as soon as possible.
The statement further reads that they listened with interest to the address of the President to the House of the People on 6 February, and noted in particular his stated willingness to continued discussions between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States aimed at identifying an agreed way forward for the holding of elections.
Somalia International partners strongly support further dialogue in a calm and constructive spirit. They once again underscore that any alternative outcomes, including a parallel process or partial elections, or any other actions that lack broad agreement, would not obtain the support of partners.
They have called on Somalia’s political leaders to build on the positive aspects of the Dhusamareb discussions, and continue to work together to agree implementation of elections in the national interest.
