President Hassan Sheikh Affirms Consensus of Government and Opposition on Election Views

The President of the Federal Government of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has clearly expressed the government’s stance on the type of elections that can take place in the country, which closely aligns with the views held by opposition parties.

The President made these remarks during a closing ceremony of a dialogue forum that took place over the past few days in Somalia’s capital,Mogadishu, focusing on electoral matters and the political process in the country. He emphasized the necessity for a consensus on how elections should be conducted.

“There is agreement that the country should hold one-person, one-vote elections, but the debate around the electoral process itself remains unresolved,” the President stated.

His comments is said to highlight a critical aspect of the ongoing discussions about Somalia’s political future.

President Hassan Sheikh underscored that both the government and the opposition share similar perspectives, firmly asserting that the country cannot revert to indirect elections. This position signals a commitment to a more democratic electoral process in Somalia.

The remarks of the president come at a time when opposition leaders have previously expressed strong resistance to the idea of indirect elections, following a series of political consultations held in the capital. This dialogue is crucial as Somalia continues to navigate its complex political landscape.