clear

Creating new perspectives since 2009

Somali election delayed

September 27, 2016 at 1:45 am

The Somalian flag, 27 September 2016 [Flickr/AMISOM Public Information]

Somalia’s presidential election – that had been slated to take place at the end of October – has been delayed for four weeks, the Somali electoral commission has announced.
Additionally, Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed (in office 2009-12), announced on Monday, that he will stand. This brings the total number of candidates to 10.
Former President Ahmed – who has been outside Somalia for four years – told a Mogadishu press conference,

I will run for the presidency, I want to make Somalia great and make sure the security of our people those who live in the country or out of the country

 

On 20 September Al-Shabab, a militant group linked to Al-Qaeda, publicly called for candidates to be attacked and for the process to be disrupted,

Ali Mohamud Rage, the group’s spokesman, posted an audio statement online stating,

Attack all places where election preparation goes on… Kill anyone who participates in the so-called election