International partners welcome May 15 election date, warns against further delays

GOOBJOOG NEWS|Mogadishu : Somalia’s international partners have welcomed the May 15 presidential election date set by the joint election committee tasked with organizing the process of electing the country’s 10th Head of State.

“We are encouraged by the positive progress in registering presidential candidates and other preparations for this electoral deadline to be met,” read part of a joint statement issued by Somalia’s international partners.

The international partners warned Somalia of any further delay, as both chambers of Parliament are up and running, adding that any electoral issue should be handled by parliamentarians already installed in office.

“There is no justification for any further delay.  With both chambers of Parliament sworn in and fully functional, any outstanding electoral issue should be resolved by the duly elected parliamentary leaders.”

Finally, Somalia’s international partners called on the country’s leaders to conclude the final upcoming poll process swiftly, peacefully and credibly so that attention can turn to domestic and state-building priorities.