The European Union (EU) has urged political leaders in Somalia to immediately resume dialogue in order to find a resolution to the current election impasse. This comes as tensions continue to rise between the Somali Federal Government and the opposition. Francesca Di Mauro, the EU Ambassador to Somalia, has stated that the EU is in communication with all sides and is encouraging talks as the best way to resolve the political dispute. She emphasized that the EU does not take a position to support any particular side, but rather promotes dialogue as the means to resolve political disputes. Di Mauro also disclosed that the EU has been in close contact with all political stakeholders in Somalia and wants all parties to participate in the discussions and work towards concrete results. However, Di Mauro’s statement also reveals that talks between the Somali Federal Government, the opposition, and some regional governments were already taking place before she arrived in Somalia in September of last year. The EU’s role is to continue to stay in touch with all political stakeholders and support the resumption of talks to find a way forward on the elections in Somalia. Di Mauro has reiterated the call for talks to resume, stating, “I want to take this opportunity to once again emphasize the importance of resuming talks to find a way forward on the elections in Somalia.” The statement from the EU Ambassador comes at a time when Somalia is still facing disputes over the type of elections, the role of political parties, and the need for consensus between the Federal Government, the opposition, and regional governments.
