Somalia’s NCC Convene to Tackle Election Reforms Amidst Northeastern State’s Boycott
Mogadishu (AX) — Friction over Somalia’s governance and upcoming electoral strategies dominated the discussions at the National Consultative Council (NCC) assembly in Mogadishu, marked by notable tensions and absentees influencing the discourse.
A confidential insider from the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) whispered to AX that Khatumo State wasn’t even on the docket. Further, this source remarked that at least one Federal Member State (FMS) fancies sticking with the moniker “President” for their leaders, despite earlier accords at NCC conversations to adopt the term ‘Governor.’
The attention is being drawn mainly toward overhauling elections, with a strong emphasis on a shift to a universal suffrage model. The FGS deems these electoral amendments pivotal for fortifying Somalia’s budding democratic groundwork and fostering more inclusive leadership.
“Concerns within the federal government are rising, suspecting some Federal Member States may engineer elections behind closed doors, much like past indirect ones, to skew outcomes,” the source whispered.
Resistance factions, like the Himilo Qaran Party, stand firmly against efforts prolonging the terms of local leaders.
Northeastern State, standing firm against the meeting, is making its dissent known. The region’s leadership loudly opposes the recent federal appointments, particularly that of General Asad Osman Abdullahi Diyano as the nation’s top cop. Vice President Ilyas Elmi Lugatoor emphasized that Northeastern State will challenge any leader from any region if their policies undermine Northeastern State’s interests.
Despite brewing speculations, no attendees have exited the meeting that marches on with Friday’s assembly zoned in on security affairs. Participants are zeroed in on beefing up efforts to tackle the militant faction Al-Shabaab, who persistently launches lethal offensives, threatening the country’s calm.
The conversations likely revolve around fortifying both national and regional defense stratagems as Somalia inches toward transitioning from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) set for early 2025. The Somali administration’s intention to oust Ethiopian troops from impending AU missions in preference of Egyptian forces has stirred the regional pot. The Somali government opposes Ethiopian military involvement due to Ethiopia’s strengthening bonds with North Western State of Somalia, under a fresh pact awarding Ethiopia access to North Western State of Somalia’s Red Sea coast.
Edited by: Ali Musa
Axadle international–Monitoring
