Congresswoman Sara Jacobs Statement on Delayed Elections in Somalia

On Monday, Somalia’s lower house of parliament voted to extend President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed’s term by two years and keep the existing federal government in place. Presidential and parliamentary elections in Somalia were scheduled to take place last year, then moved to February, and have been delayed since.  

Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53) serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights Subcommittee. Prior to serving in Congress, she worked at the State Department, the United Nations, and UNICEF. On Sunday, Congresswoman Jacobs took part in a Clubhouse talk with Somali Diaspora community members, in an event organized by one of her constituents.  

Congresswoman Jacobs released the following statement: 

“I am deeply concerned about the Somali parliament’s attempt to extend President Farmajo’s mandate by two years. This move undermines the dialogue toward an electoral framework and risks further destabilization in the country. I support the will of the people in Somalia and urge stakeholders to resume talks.”