The Minister of Interior of the Federal Government of Somalia, Ali Yusuf Ali Xoosh, spoke about a conference that is set to open today in the city of Kismayo with members of the opposition to the government and the leaders of the Jubbaland and Puntland administrations.
In a statement issued by Minister Ali Xoosh, he said that the government has never opposed holding a conference with the opposition, describing them as those who oppose the country’s progress.
“The Federal Government of Somalia always respects the constitutional right to assembly and meetings, which is a right of every Somali citizen. The government fully respects this right, which is different from what happened in the past,” said the Minister of Interior of Somalia, Ali Xoosh.
He also accused the Minister of the opposition members currently in Kismayo of not having the culture to hold fair elections, and are working to divide the country.
“A person who does not have a tradition of holding transparent elections cannot be the one to say that he does not advise on electoral matters. A person who has been working to divide the country for four years cannot speak about the future of the country today,” said the Somali Minister of Interior.
The Somali Minister of Interior also stated in his statement that opposition members are opposed to returning power to the Somali people and holding one-person, one-vote elections for local councils.
Minister Ali Xoosh’s statement comes as a conference of opposition members and leaders of the Jubbaland and Puntland administrations is set to open in Kismayo today, which will focus on the country’s elections.
