Somali premier tells UN elections to proceed as planned

By Magdalene Mukami

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - Somalia’s elections, which have been delayed numerous times, will now go ahead as planned, Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble told visiting UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on Sunday.

“Somalia is committed to holding the elections as planned,” Roble told the top UN envoy and her delegation, noting that the current issues in Somalia will not have any effect on the much-awaited polls.

Providing further details, Roble said in a statement that he held a vital meeting with Mohammed “on Somalia’s elections, political developments, and the way forward in conducting credible elections leading to a peaceful and legitimate transition of power. I thank the UN family for the unwavering support towards Somalia.”

In a statement, the deputy secretary-general highlighted the country’s parliamentary elections as an opportunity to build on the progress made in women’s political participation and emphasized that women’s full inclusion in all sectors of society will contribute to greater resilience, peace and stability.

“Somalia has achieved considerable momentum with its electoral process, and I was encouraged to hear the commitment from all I met with to ensuring that this momentum is sustained and that critical elections move forward as scheduled,” Mohammed said.

“Somalia achieved a milestone at its last elections in 2016/17 with 24% of parliamentary seats filled by women, and I am hopeful that the country will build on this by expanding women’s participation even further. Ensuring the 30% quota is met is an important first step to full representation and an inclusive society. The peace dividend will not happen without women,” she added.

The deputy secretary-general while in Somalia also met with President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo. She also met with members of the National Consultative Council (NCC), whose membership includes the leaders of the country’s federal member states and which is charged with providing the overall direction for the elections.

When asked about the case of Ikran Tahlil Farah, a member of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) who has been missing since June 26 this year, Mohammed said the rule of law and access to justice are critical to protection from violence and are the right of all women. ​​​​​​​