Somalia: Washington announces visa restrictions for some senior officials
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced in a statement retaliatory measures against some senior Somali officials (illustration image) Kay Nietfeld POOL/AFP/File
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Diplomatic pressure in Somalia has just taken a new turn.
The United States on Tuesday announced visa restrictions against current or former Somali officials who undermine the electoral process.
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With our correspondent in Nairobi
,
Albane Thirouard
This announcement comes as the same day, February 8, marked the one-year expiration of the mandate of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, known as "Farmajo".
Since then, the process to elect his successor has been a chain of delays.
Extremely complex, it is undermined by political and clan rivalries as well as accusations of irregularities.
According to the latest electoral calendar, the votes for parliamentarians should end on 25th February next.
While it still seems far from being finalized, the United States is toughening up its diplomacy.
Faced with a political crisis that is getting bogged down, Washington says it is worried about the consequences for democracy and stability in Somalia.
The State Department had brandished the threat of sanctions last month.
The step has just been taken on Tuesday with this announcement of visa restrictions.
In his press release, Antony Blinken did not specify the names of the persons concerned.
But are concerned "
individuals who have played a role in procedural irregularities that undermine the electoral process
", "
those who have failed in their obligations to organize transparent elections and on time
".
And finally, those who have “
targeted journalists or members of the opposition through harassment, intimidation, arrests or violence
”.
Immediate family members of these individuals may also be subject to restrictions.
The US Secretary of State also reiterated the importance of seeing the legislative elections concluded by February 25.
But several analysts are expressing skepticism.
Barely 40% of seats in the lower house of parliament have so far been filled, as elections began in November.
And disputes over the organization of the vote persist.
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Somalia
United States