BOSSASO [SMN] – Somalia’s port town of Bossaso, an improvised explosive device blew up at a tea shop, killing two civilians and injuring 13 others, including soldiers. No claim of responsibility was made for the attack and security officials said they are investigating.
Bossaso town is slated to hold a first round of voting for 15 parliamentary seats. The president of Somalia’s Puntland state, Said Deni, is expected to arrive Sunday in Bossaso.
The long-delayed indirect election in Somalia is due to be completed on February 25. The upper house concluded last year, while so far, 160 of the 275 members of parliament have been elected in the lower house.
Somalia leaders are under tremendous pressure from the U.S. and other supporters to wrap up elections, which now are behind schedule by more than a year.
In a statement Friday, the U.S. Embassy in Somalia called on leaders to complete the election in a “credible and transparent manner” by February 25, warning the U.S. will hold accountable those who “obstruct and undermine the process.”
Earlier this month, the United States announced a decision to bar current and former Somali officials and others accused of undermining the democratic process in Somalia from traveling to the U.S.
