Somalia: Committee claims election issues resolved

MOGADISHU, Somalia

A technical committee appointed by the government and regional leaders to resolve the current election stalemate said Wednesday that all contentious issues have been resolved.

The 14-member team said after a two-day meeting in the southwestern city of Baidoa that they resolved issues related to the Federal Indirect Elections Team (FIET), Somaliland representatives and Gedo seats.

The committee called on national consultative leaders, including current President Mohamed Abdullah Mohamed, to hold an urgent meeting Thursday to finalize the agreement and pave the way for elections.

Committee members did not disclose how they resolved outstanding election issues that hampered recent election discussions and delayed polls.

The Somaliland regional leader's desire to manage representatives in that region and a leader in Gedo to manage the election process have brought elections to a halt.

The committee agreed to maintain 30% of women's quotas in parliament, according to sources close to the committee who spoke to Anadolu Agency.

Sources said the committee suggested to Somalia’s leaders that election should be held within 60 days.

Senate Speaker Abdi Hashi, who is the most senior elected official from the breakaway region of Somaliland, said claims of resolving the Somaliland representatives issue is "fake news."