Political crisis in Somalia: Washington slaps its fist on the table

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on the Somali authorities to "put aside their political goals".

© Ken Cedeno / AP

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2 min

Despite the signing last September of an agreement between the government and the federal states, disagreements persist over the organization of the elections.

These still have not taken place while the mandate of the head of state expired on February 8.

In recent weeks, the international community has launched several calls for the holding of elections.

The latest on Friday March 19: that of the United States, which is worried about the security and development of the country.

A call that sparked an almost immediate reaction from President Farmajo.

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With our correspondent in Nairobi

,

Albane Thirouard

Lobbying from Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State to the Somali leaders.

On Friday, he called on the Somali authorities to " 

put aside their political objectives

" in order "to

find an agreement to put in place elections immediately

". 

President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo immediately reacted.

And invited, in the wake, the heads of the Federal States to meet Monday and Tuesday to finalize the electoral process.

A call that comes as the Somali head of state has been facing more united opposition since Thursday.

The leaders of the semi-autonomous regions of Jubaland and Puntland joined the presidential candidates and members of the opposition to form a coalition.

Objective: to guarantee the holding of free and fair elections in peace.

And ensure political stability.

Several meetings between the two camps have already taken place in the past.

But without success.

Mistrust remains very strong.

The members of the coalition notably accuse the president of breaking the Constitution by remaining in power.

While major disputes over the organization of elections persist. 

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  • Somalia