The UN and international partners working to support a lasting peace and democratic election process across Somalia, said on Sunday that they were highly concerned by the current situation there, calling on Somali leaders to “prioritize the national interest” and resolve their political impasse.

The African Union (AU), the European Union (EU); African regional trade bloc and others met on Friday, “in light of the gravity of the ongoing political stalemate in Somalia over the holding of delayed elections.

The deadline for holding fresh parliamentary elections expired last December, and a planned one-person-one-vote presidential election has been delayed, until leaders can agree a way forward.

Atiewin Mbillah-Lawson reports.