EU Calls for Urgent Resumption of Somalia Election Talks

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The European Union has called for the immediate resumption of dialogue among Somalia’s political stakeholders to resolve the ongoing dispute over the country’s electoral process and framework.

Speaking to the media, the European Union Ambassador to Somalia, Francesca Di Mauro, said the EU remains in close contact with all sides involved in the political standoff and stressed that dialogue remains the only viable path to resolving the differences.

“We do not take sides in support of any particular party. What we are encouraging is dialogue,” Ambassador Di Mauro said, adding that the international community wants political disagreements surrounding the electoral process to be resolved through negotiations.

The ambassador noted that previous attempts and discussions had taken place between the federal government, opposition groups, and some federal member states before she assumed office in September last year.

She urged all stakeholders to participate once talks are reconvened in order to achieve practical and meaningful outcomes.

“I would like to use this opportunity to reiterate that we hope the talks will resume quickly so that a way forward can be found regarding Somalia’s elections,” she added.

The EU’s appeal comes amid continuing legal and technical disagreements over the type of electoral model Somalia should adopt and how the federal government, regional administrations, and political stakeholders can cooperate on the implementation of a new electoral framework.