AU to facilitate peaceful Somalia political transition: envoy

The African Union (AU) will help secure a smooth political transition in Somalia, which is struggling to recover from two decades of civil conflict, the AU envoy in Somalia said Thursday.

Ambassador Francisco Madeira, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission for Somalia, told journalists in the Kenyan capital Nairobi the AU "remains heavily involved in the ongoing electoral process in Somalia through provision of technical advice at institutional level."

"We are also aiding reconciliation and dialogue among various parties," Madeira said.

The career diplomat from Mozambique is also the head of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which is helping the Somali government fight against Islamist group Al-Shabaab.

Parliamentary elections in Somalia kicked off in October. Newly-elected lawmakers are due to choose a new president at the end of November.

Madeira said lower house elections were currently ongoing.

He said AMISOM troops had secured polling stations to ward off attacks by Al-Shabaab militants.

The last time Somalia held a peaceful electoral process was in 2012 when 135 elders were selected to become members of parliament.

Madeira said 14,000 delegates would this time choose lawmakers who will serve a term of four years.

He said elections would be finalized despite the volatile security situation in parts of Somalia.

"The Somalia elections are being held in a volatile environment and Al-Shabaab has vowed to halt the exercise through intimidation of voters and elders. They have even infiltrated polling stations. We are aware of this challenge and are prepared to tackle it," he said. Endit