US slaps more visa bans on Somali leaders over delayed elections

A man votes in a past election in Somalia.

A man votes in a past election in Somalia. PHOTO | FILE | NMG

Washington on Thursday exerted more pressure on Somali leaders to complete elections on time with a new sanctions regime, banning a number of them from setting foot on US soil.

Somalia has sorely delayed completing parliamentary elections, critical because it is legislators who later elect the country’s president. This has seen incumbent President Mohamed Farmaajo overstay in office for more than a year.