Sunday April 11, 2021
MOGADISHU (HOL) - The UN and three other intergovernmental organisations have urged Somali leaders to resolve the ongoing political stalemate in yet another demand by the international community as the electoral gridlock continues.
The statement by the UN, African Union, EU and the regional bloc IGAD came barely two days after Somalia lamented foreign interference.
The four organisations [expressed] “serious concern that the political stalemate is
impacting negatively on peace, security, stability, and prosperity in Somalia and beyond.”
They also warned against any parallel process affirming the legitimacy of the September 17, 2020 political deal reached into by the Federal Government and Federal Member States.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mohamed Abdirizak wrote to the UN Security Council on Friday protesting ‘foreign interference’.
“The Federal Government of Somalia regards any interference in the process of National Elections by external actors as direct interference into our internal affairs in breach of UN Security Council Resolutions, International Conventions and law,” the minister said.
The joint statement today is a strong indication of frustrations by the international community over failure by Somali leaders to resolve their differences and chart a way forward for elections.
UN mediated collapsed on Thursday dampening prospects of a deal two months after President Mohamed Farmaajo’s term ended.
The term of the Federal Parliament ended on December 27, 2020.