Inside Story

What is next for Somalia’s political crisis?

A dispute about delayed elections led to gunfire in Mogadishu on Friday.

Somalia was scheduled to hold an election in February but the presidential vote was missed after the government failed to agree with regional leaders on how the poll should be held.

The dispute about the delay is fuelling divisions and worsening clan-based grievances.

Now, there is anger and confusion as to whether the president should remain in office after his term expired on February 8.

The standoff led to gunfire on the streets of the capital, Mogadishu, on Friday.

So, will this crisis derail Somalia’s recent progress towards stability?

Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra

Guests:

Hussein Sheikh-Ali – Founder and chairman of the Hiraal Institute think-tank

Abdiweli Garad – Political analyst and doctoral student at the University of Birmingham

Mohamed Ali Hassan – Founder and president of the Somali American Peace Council