In meetings over the past several days, the United Nations, African Union, Ethiopia, European Union, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, Italy, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States have received reassurances from the leaders of the existing and emerging federal member states that the elections of the members of the Upper House will take place by 10 October, in accordance with the revised electoral calendar issued by the FIEIT on 26 September, and that the Independent Electoral Dispute Resolution Mechanism will be operational prior to this deadline.
Meeting these deadlines is even more essential after the first deadline for the nomination of candidates for the Upper House by 5 October was missed. The credibility and legitimacy of the electoral process and of the results it produces hinges on its transparent and timely implementation.
“All relevant stakeholders must now redouble their efforts to implement the electoral process in a timely manner and as transparently as possible,” said the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Michael Keating. “Confidence in Somalia’s commitment to the electoral process can be restored if the 10 October deadline for the election of the members of the Upper House is met and there are no further delays.”
