NAIROBI, Kenya — Somalia’s leaders agreed to postpone their country’s upcoming presidential vote by one year to deal with pressing security and political issues that had been set aside because of infighting that eroded Somali support for the government.
The agreement released Thursday was welcomed by the international community and the U.N.’s envoy for Somalia, but some critics say its execution may be stunted if Somalia’s leaders don’t follow through on reform promises.
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( Farah Abdi Warsameh / Associated Press ) - Protestors loyal to Somalia Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed burn tyres in front of a checkpoint at the gates of the Mogadishu presidential palace during violent rallies in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Thursday June 9, 2011. A deal has been reached between President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed and Speaker Sharif Hassan Sheik Aden, calling for calls for Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed to resign within 30 days and for the postponement of upcoming presidential elections by one year to help the government deal with security and political issues.
Under the agreement, Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed will resign within 30 days to pave the way for the formation of a new government that guides the country through the transitional period and prepares it for new elections.
That decision has already seen discontent from Somalis who gathered by the hundreds Thursday to protest Mohamed’s resignation.“This deal is perhaps a good compromise, but the question is, is it going to bring a greater stability within the government,” said Rashid Abdi, an analyst with the International Crisis Group. “They have been given a one year lease on life. They have an opportunity to deliver on the reforms they have long been promising for the Somali people. So if they fail this time around, the world will wash its hands of this government.”
The government also needs to continue its gains against al-Qaida-linked Islamists al-Shabab who are fighting for control of the capital. The government once controlled only a couple square miles (kilometers) near Mogadishu’s seaside airport. African Union officials say they now control half the city after a major offensive launched against al-Shabab at the beginning of the year.
The international community has been putting a great deal of pressure on Somali leaders to reach an agreement before the fragile government’s term expires in August. The U.N. Security Council warned last month that the leaders risk losing financial support if they fail to end their bickering.
