MOGADISHU (SD) – Seven-member technical committee has been appointed by Somali prime minister, to work on smoothing the relationship between the international community and the National Consultative Council over the upcoming elections.

Somali leaders agreed to hold parliamentary and presidential elections next August following electoral agreement to end months long political dispute over the election process.

In a statement, Prime Minister, Mohamed Hussein Roble directed the committee to be part of the technical election support team that will coordinate the smooth implementation of the upcoming elections.

The members of the committee include Abdulkadir Elmi Ali, Chief Coordinator of the OPM election technical election support team, Omar Mohamed Abdulle – Senior election and legal advisor; Fadumo Abdi Ali – chair Fund and Operations.

Others are Mohamed Mohamed Roble – Capacity Building and Training Advisor; Laila Abdulkarim Mohamed – Senior gender and Inclusivity Advisor, Liban Rabila Good – Senior Security Advisor; and Abdullahi Hashi Hassan – Civil Society Engagement Advisor.

Late last month, Somalia’s federal government and regional state leaders signed an agreement ending an impasse that has delayed the holding of both presidential and parliamentary elections in the country.

Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble and leaders of five federal member states alongside the governor of Banadir Regional Administration pledged to conduct free and fair elections within 60 days.