Prevent Farmaajo from outstaying his term – Somali opposition 

Aya Ezz

Somali presidential hopefuls have called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene so that Somalia can hold presidential and parliamentary elections.

They declared the formation of a new coalition with the aim of countering plans by President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, whose presidential term ended earlier this month, to manipulate the Somali political scene.

The coalition sent a letter earlier this week to the Security Council, asking it to closely monitor developments in Somalia and ensure holding presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible.

The coalition also addressed the United Nations Secretary-General and the United States Secretary of State along with the Chairman of the African Union Commission.

It accused Farmaajo of refusing to facilitate holding free and fair elections.

If the Security Council does not intervene, Farmaajo would continue to put hindrances on the road of holding democratic elections, the coalition said.

It said the ongoing political crisis threatens Somalia’s stability, especially because of Farmaajo’s crackown on political opposition.

The president also intentionally postpones the elections indefinitely and wants to stay in power for longer, the coalition said.

They called for forcing Farmaajo to stop interfering in the political process and hand power over to a national interim council.

Forces affiliated to the Somali president tried to kill a number of presidential hopefuls on February 18 and 19.

They opened fire on them along with peaceful demonstrators who gathered in Somali capital Mogadishu to protest against the Somali president.