The Federal Republic of Somalia has invited regional governments and the Benadir regional administration to join the federal government in a meeting on March 22nd and 23rd, 2021 to conclude negotiations on electoral issues.
The two-day conference which will be organized by Prime Minister’s Office is planned to take place on Monday and Tuesday at the Afesiyoni Airbase.
The Minister of Information, Mr. Osman Abokor Dubbe, who spoke to the media, said the government would attend the conference “wherever” it was held.
“We are ready for any election conference even if it is held at sea,” said Mr. Dubbe.
The minister’s statement comes amid reports that Villa Somalia is refusing to attend the conference if it takes place in Halane. The fortified compound was one of the conditions set by Puntland and Jubaland leaders.
This ultimate conference aims to conclude the recommendations of the Electoral Technical Committee from the Baidoa Conference held from 15th to 16th of February 2021, which resolved concerns over the September 17th, 2020 election agreement.
The government urged the regional leaders to give high priority to this conference which is set to address the concerns raised by the electoral agreement in order to lead the country to elections.
The government took the opportunity to criticize the opposition, which recently formed another antagonistic coalition whose aim is to make any agreement to organize elections as soon as possible more difficult.
He also added that the country has struggled to recover from years of destruction and cannot afford to reverse the progress made.
