A row has broken out in Somalia over a televised presidential debate, which many among the 24 presidential candidates say they are boycotting because it would only be aired on state television and not on private media.

According to Ceoafrica, the debate which would be aired in the evening is prior to the election that would be conducted on the 8^th of February, after months of postponement.   

Moreover, plans for direct elections were shelved due to on-going insecurity and Somalia's battered infrastructure, in which members of parliament and the upper house will choose Somalia's next leader.

The incumbent, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, is among the candidates.