The European Union has threatened to take “further measures” against Somalia if it fails to resume talks to end the elections deadlock.
“We call for an immediate return to talks on the holding of elections without delay based on the September 17 agreement. Failing this, the EU will consider further concrete measures,” the Union’s External Action Service (EEAS) said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The move announcement came after the Lower house of the Somalia Parliament voted overwhelmingly to de facto extend by two years the term of the country’s president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, and of the federal government.
The statement adds that the EU has repeatedly stated that it can “under no circumstances” accept an extension of the government mandate, or any partial or parallel process related to the elections, unless the parties to the 17 September electoral agreement previously reach an agreement.
In a similar move, the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that Somalia’s move “undermines further the country’s peace and security,” whilst calling on the country’s federal government and federal member states to “return to talks and agree to a way forward.”
The decision to extend the Federal Government’s term undermines further the country’s peace and security. We call on Somalia’s Federal Government and Federal Member States to return to talks and agree to a way forward.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) April 13, 2021
Defying international calls, the Somali President signed the controversial law, said a statement issued by the Minister of Information Osman A Dubbe last week.