WASHINGTON (Somaliguardian) – The United States Department of State said on Tuesday that it was deeply concerned about the absence of an electoral implementation agreement in Somalia, a day after the term of president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo ended.
State Department spokesman Ned Price speaking to US media stated that his government views immediate election as critical to Somalia’s future.
“The United States is deeply concerned about the absence of an election implementation agreement in Somalia. While this is an issue for Somalis to resolve, the United States views immediate election as critical to Somalia’s future,” the spokesman said.
Shortly after the Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo announced that he would convene talks between Somali leaders over the elections in the town of Garowe on February 15, Mr Price called on Somalia’s leaders to resume dialogue immediately.
“Consensus can be reached; we call on Somalia’s leaders to resume dialogue urgently so that national elections can take place now,” the State Department official noted, adding: “The impasse hinders pressing reform and counter-terrorism efforts and continued delay will only increase the risk of instability,”
The new US administration warned against partial, parallel and alternative elections, urging the leaders in the war-torn Horn of Africa nation to act in the interest of the Somali people.
“It is a responsibility and the duty of national and regional leaders to act in the interest of the people in Somalia, who of course deserve the best from their leaders,” the spokesman said.
“Partial, parallel or alternative election processes including prolonged interim governing arrangements would increase prospects for instability and be a major setback for Somalia.”
The United States Department of State says it “opposes the use of violence by any party” as the opposition and some of the country’s regional administrations refuse to recognize Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo as president after his term expired on Monday.
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