ADDIS ABABA (SD) – African Union (AU) has welcomed the recently signed electoral deal between Somalia’s federal and regional state leaders.

In a statement, AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat reiterated AU’s position that credible elections are crucial and necessary step towards lasting peace in Somalia.

The chairperson has urged Somali political leaders to exercise restraint and promote interactive political dialogue towards political stability.

He said that the African Union stands ready to scale up support for all such efforts that will result in peace, progress, and prosperity for Somalia.

Faki said that he was encouraged by the decision of the NCC to conclude free and transparent Lower House elections by February 25.

On Sunday, Somalia’s Prime Minister Hussein Roble issued an eight-point declaration that said a consultative meeting had agreed on February 25 as the final day for parliamentary elections.

Somalia had initially scheduled elections from November 2020, but disagreements over mode and security arrangements delayed the polls by more than a year.

The 54-member Senate elections have been completed, although they also dragged on for three months from August last year.