Jubbaland Opposition Dismisses Electoral Commission and Warns of Independent Election in Kismayo
The coastal city of Kismayo is buzzing with political uproar after Somalia’s Jubbaland state opposition factions took a firm stand. They’re giving the thumbs down to a freshly minted regional electoral commission put together by Jubbaland’s head honcho, President Ahmed Madobe. If they don’t see some changes, they’re talking about throwing their own election bash right there in Kismayo.
These opposition groups are flipping the script on Madobe’s clout, calling his appointment of the seven-person crew for the Jubbaland Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission all kinds of questionable, especially in light of the big presidential and parliamentary shindigs slated for late 2024. Does that commission have an agenda? Well, that’s what folks are scratching their heads over.
Abdullahi Ali, one of the opposition’s main spokesmen, is throwing down the gauntlet, pointing fingers at Madobe for skipping essential openness and a good old-fashioned chitchat with the broader community. “Hey, shouldn’t we in the opposition have dibs on picking more than half of those commission folks?” Ali chimed in, advocating for what he calls a “fair shake” in representation. While Madobe is hitting back, saying his choices were made after huddling with his vice presidents.
Meanwhile, the federal Ministry of Internal Affairs isn’t just sitting on the sidelines. They’ve slammed the commission’s formation as downright “dodgy” and are nudging Madobe to get on board with what the National Consultative Council (NCC) has laid out. You see, there’s this NCC blueprint that was given the nod by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud along with bigwigs from both federal and regional circles. It’s all about getting everyone in step with a unified, one-man-one-vote ballgame, marking June 2025 for local and regional ballot casting, with the grand events, aka parliamentary and presidential elections, penciled in for September.
It’s a political cocktail mix in Jubbaland, and everyone from casual observers to the suit-and-tie political strategists are keeping their eyes peeled on how this drama unfolds, pondering whether it’s shaping up to be a game of musical chairs or a high-stakes political poker game.
Understanding the back-and-forth here is crucial. At its core, we have a tug-of-war over political power and representation, all against the backdrop of Somalia’s evolving democratic process. The friction between Madobe’s administration and the opposition showcases deeper issues about who gets to call the shots and how decisions ripple through the political landscape. With high expectations for the upcoming elections, citizens and officials alike are closely monitoring whether there will be a breakthrough or more friction ahead.
In this atmosphere of contention, the broader political scene in Somalia also plays a critical role. Efforts towards a universal suffrage system are part of a larger narrative of moving towards greater democratic ideals. The agreements facilitated by the NCC are designed as stepping stones towards this goal, yet implementing them requires cooperation and mutual understanding, which seem to be in short supply at the moment.
Dialogue remains key. As stakeholders continue to voice their concerns and hopes, there’s a need for open channels of communication. This involves not just airing grievances but genuinely listening to alternative proposals, which might help in crafting a roadmap that aligns with the needs and expectations of all involved parties.
Amidst all this, citizens await clarity and reassurance that their voices will be heard, and the upcoming elections will indeed reflect the will of the people. The political leadership must rise to this pivotal moment, demonstrating that they can bridge differences and come together to carve a future that thrives on inclusion, fairness, and shared governance.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
