Citing lack of transparency and widespread irregularities, Somalia’s opposition parties have said they will not participate in or accept results of the ongoing parliamentary elections.
The announcement came from a group of opposition candidates for the presidential election, which will be held once Somalia completes the process to elect 275 members of the parliament’s lower House of the People.
“The Union of Presidential Candidates declares that it does not condone, accept, and will not be part of the ongoing looting that destroys peace and the state-building process,” Dahir Mohamud Geele, a spokesman for the group, said in a statement on Tuesday evening.
This followed a weekend meeting between Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble and the opposition’s presidential contenders, who include two former heads of state.
In Sunday’s talks, Roble sought to ease rising political tensions over “lack of transparency and blatant violations” in the elections, according to a statement issued by the premier’s office.
Roble also met officials of Somalia’s elections authority on Monday, telling them that the situation was “unacceptable” and urging them to ensure that the polls are held in a fair and credible manner.
Analysts fear the potential impasse could push back Somalia to the deadly unrest witnessed during past political standoffs.
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