Somalia: Breakthrough on Somaliland MPs’ Election as FGS-FMS talks hang in the balance

Somalia

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – A breakthrough has been made in talks between Somalia’s federal and regional leaders on Somaliland electoral committees as deadlock remains on a number of key sticking points, Galmudug vice president Ali Dahir said on Thursday.

Meeting between Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, whose term is due to expire within 4 days and the leaders of 5 regional states is underway in the town of Dhusamareb for the second day as part of efforts aimed to bring an to end to a long-standing dispute over the upcoming elections.

Despite key sticking points including presence of federal troops in Gedo region and the government-appointed electoral commission, talks reached a break-through on the election of MPs from the break-away state of Somaliland.

Speaking to BBC Somali Service, Galmudug vice president Ali Dahir stated that progress had been made on the contentious issue and that deputy prime minister Khadar Guled and senate speaker Abdi Hashi had been assigned to select members of the Somaliland electoral committee which will manage the election of MPs from the region.

It comes a day after senate speaker Abdi Hashi accused Somali leader of being “anti-federalism” after his request to attend Dhusamareb conference had been turned down.

Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com