James Swan, the United Nations Special Envoy to Somalia, has reiterated his earlier calls to the country’s leadership to hold timely elections.
In October, a consultative meeting between Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Federal Member States (FMS) agreed to hold parliamentary elections in December 2020.
These would then be followed by presidential polls in February 2021.
However, there are fears that the government is not preparing for timely elections, as should be the case with a month to go.
The country’s opposition chiefs have also reiterated their willingness to withdraw from the polls if certain conditions are not met.
During an interview with Al-Jazeera, Swan urged the leaders to adhere to the electoral agreement they signed in October.
He mentioned the key electoral commissions the government has already formed as a good start.
Nevertheless, the opposition continues to state that the composition of the electoral commissions is heavily skewed in favor of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and his allies.
Swan encouraged the country’s political leadership and other stakeholders to work together and pursue dialogue to avert possible chaos and violence.