https://espresso.economist.com/bae00fb8b4115786ba5dbbb67b9b177a -- Dec 18th 2018

Warning signs: Somalia’s election

• sign 信号
• Somalia 索马里

December 19th marks the start of election season in Somalia, in which the seven states will choose regional presidents. Early omens are troubling.

• omens 预兆；征兆

The days preceding the first vote, in the South-West region, have been marred by deadly violence.

• preceding 在先的；前面的；先前的
• mar 毁损

The process has also been tainted by interference of the federal government, determined to prevent the victory of Mukhtar Robow, a popular former leader from al-Shabaab, an Islamist militant group which America has been pounding with air strikes.

• taint v. 污染；使腐坏；玷污
• pound v. 反复击打
• air strikes 空袭

Until last year Mr Robow had a $5m American bounty on his head.

• bounty 赏金；奖金；慷慨之举；大量给予之物
• on ones head 落到某人身上；归罪于某人

Last month members of the regional election committee resigned in protest, citing meddling.

• resign 辞职；辞去（某职务）；放弃；退出；认输
• meddle 干涉；弄；参与

The poll has so far been delayed three times.

• poll 民意测验；民意调查；选举投票；计票

On December 13th the federal government arrested Mr Robow, claiming he had brought militants and weapons to the South-West region; the arrest triggered demonstrations.

• militant 激进份子

Relations between Somalia’s federal government and the member states were already terrible.

They look set to get worse.

• look set to 即将要……

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