Puntland religious leaders advocate peaceful elections

SABAHI
Wednesday, December 25, 2013

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Puntland clerics have called for peace as tensions rise in the region following a standoff between President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole and opposition presidential candidates over the committee overseeing the election, UN-funded Radio Bar-Kulan reported Tuesday (December 24th).

The elections should take place without violence, said Sheikh Abdiqani Qorane Mohamud, who also urged Farole to reconcile his differences with other presidential candidates through negotiations.

The clerics held the awareness meeting Monday evening, following an attack Sunday against presidential candidate Abdi Dahir Yusuf in Garowe, in which gunmen shot at him while he was driving in his car.

Yusuf accused the president's nephew, Abdullahi Farole, of being one of the shooters, according to Dalsan Radio.

Farole admitted to shooting at the vehicle, but said the shots were fired to stop the car from speeding near the United Nations compound in Garowe.

UN Special Representative to Somalia Nicholas Kay called for calm.

"As the election draws closer and political temperatures become more heated, I call on all candidates and stakeholders, in particular the traditional titled elders, to work jointly and be prepared, at times, to strike difficult compromises," he said.

"[UN Assistance Mission in Somalia] has supported mediation and consultation efforts throughout the process and I remain hopeful that all candidates are committed to a peaceful and credible election."

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