Somalia: International Community calls for furthering efforts for speedy elections

 Amid continuous delays and missed deadlines in the process to complete lower house elections in Somalia, the international community has called on warring sides to follow restraint and ensure timely conduct of polls in the country. 

As per reports, Somalia's international partner Europe is closely following the developments in the East African nation. Taking to social media, a Twitter user revealed that outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has recruited 1,500 fighters trained in Eritrea, including various members of insurgent group al-Shabab with the aim of "disrupting" the elections. 

Call for the smooth electoral process

Earlier this week, a joint statement was issued by Somalia's partners, including United Nations, African Union, European Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and over 20 nations, urging political leaders of the country to ensure that the election processes reflect wide consensus. 

The statement added that more than 90 percent of the House of the People seats have been chosen, urging Hirshabelle State and Jubaland State to complete the electoral process. 

Europe and other international partners have also warned Farmajo against any aggression against the Somali people.

"We call on the concerned parties in Somalia to facilitate the elections and to hold them on time and with integrity," the international community said in its statement. 

Initially scheduled to take place a year ago, elections in Somalia have been disrupted due to disagreements over the poll code of conduct as well as infighting between the president and prime minister.

Previously, the international community warned that the electoral deadline is distracting Somali leaders from other pressing issues, including the worst drought being faced by the country in decades and well as violent insurgency led by Al-Shabaab. Taking cognizance of missing deadlines, the United States has imposed travel sanctions on leading political figures of Somalia for "obstructionist actions" in the election process. 

Aggravated attacks

The Islamic State's local branch, Al Shabaab has intensified its attacks in Somalia in recent weeks to disrupt the high-stakes elections in the country. Last month, the insurgent carried out one of its deadliest attacks to target the electoral process at the regional presidential palace in Beledweyne town. The attack killed more than 40 people and injured over 100 in the region. 

According to political and security analysts, these attacks are a part of Al-Shabab’s objective to destabilize the government in Mogadishu.