FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 10, 2021

In a Zoom meeting on April 9th, Somali Presidential Candidate Dr. Abdinasir Abdille Mohamed briefed H.E. Donald Milford Payne Jr., US Representative for New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District.
During this virtual briefing, Dr. Abdinasir expressed his appreciation to Rep. Payne and used the opportunity to thank him for his late father’s great contribution and service in the U.S. Congress, especially for his “instrumental” role in shaping U.S. Africa policy.

On Somalia’s delayed national elections, Dr. Abdinasir said the outgoing Somali Federal Government leadership, whose governing mandate expired in February 2021, had “delayed or engaged in counterproductive steps that threaten to unravel the ongoing but delicate electoral negotiations”, noting that he welcomed US policy “demanding credible and inclusive elections in Somalia”. Warning of “wider regional security implications” with further election delays, due to Somalia’s location in a “turbulent region”, Dr. Abdinasir expressed hope that “regional stability and international order would be preserved” beyond 2021 Somali Elections.

The Somali presidential candidate noted serious concern over the COVID-19 pandemic, climate-induced disasters, including recurrent droughts, locust infestations, flooding, and growing humanitarian crises in different parts of Somalia, saying that he aimed to draw the attention of the US Government, and other international partners, on these urgent concerns despite the Somali national elections setback.

Dr. Abdinasir emphasized that infrastructure planning formed a “core pillar” of his Governing Program if he was elected as the next President of Somalia, saying: “Africa is the next frontier for global manufacturing. But we have to set up a peaceful and conducive environment for businesses to be attracted: security, electricity, transportation. These are the infrastructure we are seeking to develop.”
For his part, Rep. Payne said that he, because of his father’s leadership and legacy, “feels an obligation to continue to support the continent (Africa)”. Rep. Payne, who sits on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the US House of Representatives, welcomed Dr. Abdinasir’s vision for infrastructure development in Somalia, saying that he wanted to see Somalia “move in the right direction” and offered his support to “like-minded people” who are committed to helping their homeland in development, human rights, and democracy.

The Zoom meeting concluded amicably with an understanding that Dr. Abdinasir would continue his outreach efforts to other members of US Congress, US Government officials, and Somalia’s other international partners, to brief them on 2021 Somali Elections and the way forward for the nation and the wider Horn of Africa region.
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