Somalia – Extension of the current president’s term of office (12 April 2021)

Somalia’s lower house of parliament has decided to extend the term of office of the current president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, also known as Farmajo, for two years. This decision signifies a break with the dialogue process initiated in Somalia following the electoral agreement on September 17, 2020, intended to result in the holding of parliamentary and presidential elections at the beginning of 2021.

The current political deadlock is an obstacle to the country’s stability and security, as well as to effectively combating the terrorist group Al Shabab which poses a threat to the entire region.

France calls on the international partners to make the necessary efforts to ensure the resumption of inter-Somalian negotiations and the election process as swiftly as possible.