Somalia polls have been marred by graft and outright thuggery

President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo. [Reuters]

The much-delayed parliamentary and presidential elections in Somalia are now headed to the penultimate stage, with less than 100 Members of Parliament waiting to be elected.

The electoral process was expected to culminate in the presidential election in February last year but was delayed due to lack of preparedness by the current government led by President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo, thus leading to violent incidents during protests organised by the opposition group. The violence and protest by the opposition led to a meeting aimed at safeguarding the country’s political stability and security. It led to the implementation of the September 17, 2020 electoral agreement for the indirect parliament and presidential elections.