MOGADISHU (SD) – The United Nations welcomed a consensus reached on Sunday by the country’s political leaders to expedite the electoral process after many months of delay.

In a statement, UN urged the leaders to make good on their agreement for a new election timetable after repeated delays sparked a perilous political crisis.

“The UN encourages Somali’s political leaders to continue in a spirit of cooperation, avoid provocations that risk new tensions or conflict and stay focused on delivering a credible electoral process quickly for the benefit of all Somalis,” the statement reads in part.

Under a deal announced late Sunday after talks between Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble and state leaders, parliamentary polls that should have wrapped up last year are now due to be concluded by February 25.

“The ongoing election of the House of the People (lower house) will be completed between the periods of January 15 and February 25, 2022,” the leaders agreed.

The leaders underlined the independence of the Federal Electoral Commission and Federal Member Commissions in the conduct of the elections, in accordance with the previous election agreements.

“The election of each seat shall be witnessed by the Electoral Commission, media, and independent observers in order to ensure the transparency and openness of the elections,” a commuque issued on Sunday.