US and British ambassadors to Somalia, Colleen Crenwelge and Kate Foster respectively, have expressed frustration over the failure to reach the 30% quota for women in the Upper House of the Federal Parliament of Somalia.
In a joint press conference by the two Ambassadors today, they warned that the dispute over the election could lead to conflict in the country which is not in the interest of the fragile Somali people.
“We recommend that any grievances be
resolved through dialogue and security,” said Colleen Crenwelge, acting US ambassador to Somalia.
The two Ambassadors stated that they had met with the Villa Somalia administration, the Office of the Prime Minister and the Union of Candidates and informed them to avoid violence and to put the public interest before politics.
The two Ambassadors stated that they had rejected an election request from the Somali Government for $ 2.7 million, until it was verified how the money will be spent and that the registration fee for the candidates had been deposited in a joint Central Bank account.
“We have made it clear that we cannot afford to spend money. It is my responsibility as an ambassador to keep an eye on what is being paid in the UK, because it is money paid by UK taxpayers, ”said Kate Foster, UK Ambassador.
They noted that they had heard reports of corruption in the electoral process and were concerned about the transparent, incomplete process that had affected the selection process.
Asked what would happen to suspected Al-Shabaab members who may run in the elections, the two Ambassadors underlined that transparency in the elections, monitoring of candidates and verification of candidates is important, and it is the responsibility of the Electoral Commissions to verify the candidates.
BY OSMAN HUSSEIN ALI
