The U.S. has threatened Somalia with sanctions if it fails to meet a recently agreed timetable for holding elections.
In a tweet, the United States Bureau of African Affairs stated that “Somalia’s elections are more than a year behind schedule and the U.S. is prepared to take measures against spoilers if the new National Consultative Council timeline is not met”.
Spokesman to Somali Prime Minister, Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu says the PM welcomes the warning by the U.S. saying he is ready to fulfill his duties and lead the country to peaceful elections.
The U.S. warning comes days after Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed announced that he welcomed the outcome of the six-day meeting of the National Consultative Council at which its leaders agreed to conclude ongoing Lower House elections by Feb. 25, but he has yet to comment on the latest warning.
Experts, however, described the move as a symbolic one, given the challenges and how difficult Somalia’s politics have become.
Somalia has entered a political crisis in less than year as gridlock developed after the country’s electoral body ousted its chairman and President Mohamed announced that he had suspended the powers of his prime minister over the alleged embezzlement of public land and corruption.
