James Swan, the United Nations Special Envoy to Somalia, has encouraged political leaders in Somalia to meet and discuss the electoral impasse as soon possible.
Swan made these comments during his address to participants at the ongoing Somali Partnership Forum (SPF).
The UN Special Envoy joined President Ahmed Abdi Karie Qoorqoor of Galmudug in urging for a quick solution to the impasse to ensure that Somalia holds timely elections.
Somalia was to hold local and parliamentary elections in December 2020.
However, President Said Abdullahi Deni and President Ahmed Islam Madobe of Puntland and Jubbaland respectively are against the elections taking place under the current environment.
Opposition leaders have also threatened to boycott the polls if the government does not remove National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) officers from the elections body.
Swan also encouraged the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) to discuss and solve the Gedo region issue with Madobe.