A tainted, manipulated or irregular election is often a triggering event leading to armed conflict or coup attempts, as it signals to the opposition that peaceful, democratic means of resolving differences have been exhausted.
In a joint press conference on Tuesday, the U.S Charge’d’affairs Colleen Crenwelge and UK Ambassador Kate Foster both warned that the dispute over the election could lead to conflict in the country, which is not in the interest of the people of the fragile Somalia.
The two Ambassadors stated that they had met with the Villa Somalia administration, the Office of the Prime Minister and the Union of Presidential Candidates and informed them to avoid violence and as they also urged to put the public interest before the politicians' self-interests.
"We urge that any election related complaints and disputes be resolved through dialogue and peaceful way," said Crenwelge.
When asked what to do about al-Shabaab influence in the elections, the two Ambassadors underlined that transparency in the elections was critical. They recapitulated that indirect electoral bodies were required to ensure that candidates vying for parliamentary positions are vetted and verified.
The two Ambassadors expressed the importance of the the work of independent media and urged authorities to allow free media as an essential component of democratic processes.
U.S and UK ambassadors stated their commitment to support journalists and media community in Somalia as a way to promote good governance, fight corruption and peace in the country.
Somalia has been plagued by instability since 1991, when the long-time ruler Siad Barre was ousted. What followed was a prolonged period of civil war and a power vacuum that led to the rise of the Islamist group al-Shabab.
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