African Union’s top envoy in Somalia has assured the country’s leaders of increased security during a two-day meeting of key election stakeholders, in Mogadishu, the nation’s capital.
Francisco Madeira, Special representative of the chairperson of the AU Commission to Somalia and head of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), said the technical and security aspects for the meeting, due to take place inside the Aden Abdulle International Airport complex, have been completed
The AU envoy had held talks, lastSunday, with presidential candidates, including presidents of the three federal member states.
According to the AU envoy, “I wish to assure all Somali leaders, the public and other stakeholders that AMISOM, in coordination with its partners, has put in place the necessary measures to ensure that the meeting takes place in a conducive, secure and peaceful environment in which all parties feel comfortable to participate,” Madeira said in a statement issued, on Sunday evening.
Madeira said he discussed issues related to the overall security of the AMISOM Base Camp and the security of participants to the planned meeting of key Somali leaders to finalise a deal on the electoral process.
He said the AU mission would guarantee security before, during and after the meeting of all the signatories of the September 17, 2020 pre-election deal.
The meeting aims to finalise the implementation of the electoral model, building on the work of the technical committee, which met in Baidoa in the southwest region on February 15-17.
“I sincerely applaud Somali leaders for converging in Mogadishu and agreeing to hold this important meeting to resolve outstanding issues so that elections can take place,” Madeira said.
The meeting comes amid threats from al-Shabab, which is fighting to topple the internationally-backed government, to disrupt the parliamentary and presidential elections.