AU hails welcomes Somalia’s new election timeline

African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat has welcomed the new election timelines for Somalia through inclusive national consultations.

The National Consultative Council (NCC) Summit among Somali leaders took place from December 3-9 in Mogadishu.

In a statement on Thursday, Faki said that he was encouraged by the decision of the NCC to conclude free and transparent Lower House elections by February 25.

This is in full respect of September 17, 2020, and May 27, 2021, agreements, and the election procedures of October 1, 2020, and August 24, 2021.

Faki reiterated AU’s position that credible elections are a crucial and necessary step towards lasting peace in Somalia.

This step and other outstanding issues can only be sustainably achieved through peaceful interaction and dialogue.

The chairperson has urged Somali political leaders to exercise restraint and promote interactive political dialogue towards political stability.

He added that the African Union stands ready to scale up support for all such efforts that will result in peace, progress, and prosperity for Somalia.

Last month, United Nations and other countries were in talks with Somalia’s prime minister and president to urge them to reduce tensions in their political feud that fed fears of a military clash.