Jubbaland and Farmaajo Denounce Parliament’s Electoral Commission Legislation as “Unlawful”
Mogadishu (AX) — Jubbaland’s leadership, alongside its representatives in Somalia’s federal Parliament, have declared their opposition to a newly sanctioned law that establishes the Independent National Electoral Commission. They argue it breaches constitutional principles and excludes them from pivotal discussions.
On Saturday, a statement emerged from the corridors of power in Jubbaland, decrying the parliamentary proceedings as “unlawful” due to the absence of their own lawmakers and those from Northeastern State during the session.
“This act by Parliament undermines the spirit of dialogue, mutual respect, and adherence to constitutional governance, fostering a climate of political instability. Such unauthorized actions illustrate a reluctance to find common ground, eroding trust in constitutional processes,” asserted the statement from the Jubbaland Interior Ministry with the gravity of disappointment.
In spite of Jubbaland’s official stance, some journalists noted the presence of lawmakers from Jubbaland and Northeastern State who seem to be at odds with Jubbaland leader Ahmed Madobe, having participated in the session.
The bicameral assembly of Somalia’s Parliament gave its nod to the law, with a unanimous 173-member endorsement in a joint session convened in Mogadishu.
Former Somali President, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, took a stand against this legislative move, branding it as unconstitutional. He cautioned that it stands as a potential catalyst for heightening political rifts.
“The entanglement of the executive and legislative realms has only exacerbated the rift among the Somali people,” Farmaajo articulated in sharp critique, blaming President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for prioritizing personal vendettas over the nation’s collective harmony.
While the legislation inches the country closer to its aspiration of facilitating one-person, one-vote elections, it has simultaneously pulled back the curtain on existing tensions between the federal authority and regional factions like Jubbaland and Northeastern State. These regions are clamoring for more say in comprehensive national reforms.
The discord reached new heights when Ahmed Madobe, the leader of Jubbaland, exited a significant gathering of the National Consultative Council recently held in Mogadishu, advocating for the more substantial involvement of Northeastern State and SSC-Khatumo in critical discussions.
At its core, this turmoil underscores the fragile nature of Somalia’s federal construct, where regional disputes threaten to unravel national progress. The pursuit of a more inclusive electoral process remains a distant goal unless dialogues rooted in mutual respect are prioritized over divisive maneuvers. To borrow a saying, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” and neither will a harmonious Somalia be. What’s required now is not just a framework but authentic engagement and shared visions among all regional players to weave a truly unified national tapestry.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
