Thursday November 21, 2019
MOGADISHU (HOL) - The 2020/21 elections must be held in time and without delays, a meeting between President Mohamed Farmajo and opposition leaders resolved Wednesday.
The meeting bringing together Farmaajo and his political opponents and former Presidents Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Sheikh Sharif Ahmed came amid heightened political differences that have culminated in a court battle.Mohamud said in a press conference they agreed that the elections be held in time without room for any extensions. It was not immediately if there were concrete timelines including the passage of the crucial elections Bill which is still in Parliament.
The trio, Mohamud added also resolved to disengage security from politics and that security apparatuses should not be used for political ends.
The opposition has previously complained about use of the Intelligence agency NISA by the government to oppress political opponents and dissent.
Furthermore the three leaders resolved to unite in the fight against Al-Shabaab which has over the years sought to dislodge the federal government.
NISA boss Fahad Yasin earlier in the week met with former President Sharif to broker talks. Following the talks, Forum for National Parties (FNP) lawyers sought more time when the case against the state came up for mention last Thursday. It’s not clear if the coalition is considering withdrawing the charges.
Mohamud said Farmaajo acknowledged the concerns over air travel which has been a point of contention and agreed ‘it would not happen in future’.
Meanwhile a meeting of political with Farmajo which was set for Thursday has been postponed.