UN calls on Somalia to hold Elections ‘as soon as possible’

The United Nations envoy for Somalia has called on leaders in Somalia to reach an agreement on holding elections “as soon as possible”.

In a quarterly video conference of the UN Security Council, James Swan on Monday urged “all of Somalia’s political leaders to pull back from confrontation and avoid risky winner-take-all tactics”.

“Instead, this is a time to pursue dialogue and compromise to reach an inclusive and credible political agreement to hold elections as soon as possible based on the 17 September model,” he added.

Somalia missed a deadline to hold an election by February 8, when president Farmaajo was due to step down. Amid the constitutional crisis, a coalition of opposition candidates had said it no longer recognises Farmaajo as president and has pledged mass protests until he steps down.

“I remain convinced that the consensus-based 17 September model offers the best available option to proceed quickly to an electoral process for selection of members of parliament, senators and the president,” Swan said.

“The message from partners has been clear that there should be no partial elections, no parallel processes and no unilateral actions by Somali leaders. Such approaches would only lead to greater division and risk of confrontation,” the UN envoy warned.

He also called for credible elections to be held as soon as possible.