The United States has called on the Somali government and the five regional states to renew their mutual commitment to defeat al-Shabab as part of efforts to stabilize the Horn of African nation.
The U.S. embassy in Somalia said the Somali leaders must negotiate and work together to establish security and ensure credible elections take place 2020/2021.
“A reenergized process of dialogue and compromise will be necessary on all sides to address security challenges for the good of Somalia. The U.S. is determined to advance our shared goals and objectives,” the embassy said in a statement issued on Thursday.
Washington said the Somali leaders should also renew their cooperation with regional and international partners to defeat al-Shabab and reestablish governance, security and prosperity for all Somalis.
According to the U.S., by reaffirming reconciliation between the government and member States, Somali leaders will uphold their own commitments to increase political inclusion and pursue long-term peace, security, and stability for all Somalis.
Somalia, with the help of the African Union and the UN, is making urgent preparations for universal suffrage elections, which will be the first of its kind after more than two decades since the outbreak of the civil war that followed the collapse of the Somali government in 1992.
The country last held one-person, one-vote elections in March 1969 when the government was overthrown in a bloodless military coup.
Parliamentary and presidential elections took place in late 2016 and early 2017 through a system of indirect suffrage.
