Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, welcomed the significant efforts undertaken by the Somali Government to ensure the holding of the first direct municipal elections since 1969. He described the move as an important and positive step that reinforces citizenship and constitutional legitimacy, and contributes to the promotion of civil peace and development. He called on Somali political forces to prioritise dialogue and national consensus in order to overcome the various security and political challenges, whether in confronting terrorism or advancing the state-building process.
Counsellor Gamal Roshdy, the Secretary-General’s spokesperson, stated that the League of Arab States is closely monitoring the electoral process in the capital, Mogadishu, and considers it an important step towards consolidating popular participation and strengthening the transition from the indirect electoral system in place since 1969 to a system of direct universal suffrage (“one person, one vote”), as stipulated in the Somali Transitional Constitution.
The League of Arab States affirms its readiness to provide all necessary political and technical support, in coordination with Somali state institutions, and reiterates its continued support for the legitimate aspirations of the Somali people for security, stability, prosperity, and the restoration of the role of the national state.
