Somali government and opposition agree on elections
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Shabelle Media Network
Illustrative image · AMISOM Public InformationThe Somali government and the Future Council, which brings together the opposition, agreed in Mogadishu on security and the electoral process, reports Shabelle Media Network. Both sides pledged not to politicise security issues and to base the next election on a consensus acceptable to all.
The Somali federal government and the Future Council, which brings together several opposition figures, have agreed to seek political consensus on the next national elections. Both sides also agreed to avoid politicising national security issues and to cooperate against armed groups, including Al-Shabaab and the Islamic State, reports Shabelle Media Network.
The meeting held in Mogadishu brought together, among others, National Intelligence and Security Agency director Mahad Mohamed Salad, army chief Ibrahim Mohamed and military court president Hassan Ali Nur for the government. The opposition was represented, among others, by former presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former prime ministers Hassan Ali Khaire and Mohamed Hussein Roble.
The discussions also focused on restoring political trust and creating conditions conducive to new agreements on national issues. Disagreement over the electoral process and security arrangements remains at the centre of tensions between the government and opposition groups, reports Shabelle Media Network.
