Poll delay would deepen Somalia’s political crisis

Significance

The statements came as regional leaders, some of whom have vehemently opposed a delay, gathered to discuss a joint position on elections, after the National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) last week announced it could not organise national elections on time.

Impacts

• All other national priorities, including security and constitutional reform, will take a backseat to finding an acceptable election model.
• The separate statements by Kheire and Farmajo -- with Farmajo responding to Kheire -- may indicate a growing rift between the two.
• Opposition politicians will have little influence over the debates, even though some could be major players in the elections themselves.