Somali Justice Minister Condemns Opposition’s Election Standpoint

Mogadishu (AX) – In a whirl of political drama that’s brighter than a winter carnival, the Somali Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hassan Moalim, took a bold stand against opposition groups, accusing them of monkey-wrenching the efforts to pass pivotal laws—the kind that would redefine the nation’s electoral process. He’s made it clear: they are playing with fire!

On a breezy Thursday in Mogadishu, with the hibiscus flowers trying to outshine the sun, Minister Moalim didn’t mince words in his address. “Nobody, not even the cat’s whiskers of an armed force, should throw a spanner in the works when it comes to the democratic train of elections,” he declared passionately, sweeping his hand decisively as though to punctuate every syllable. Now, doesn’t that sound like fighting spirit?

The minister attested that, indeed, at this crucial juncture, the notion of an election is as inescapable as the last cookie on the plate—it’s here to stay. “Election time has come knocking and it’s high time we answered the door,” he asserted, voice unwavering, embodying the government’s unyielding resolve to navigate Somalia towards free and fair elections. But who can ignore his unbending focus on cultivating an electoral atmosphere where people can cast their votes without so much as a whiff of hesitation?

Against this backdrop of discord, the Somali government and opposition factions have been calling out each other like roosters in a barnyard at dawn, relentlessly lobing allegations back and forth. It’s a sight to see. This tête-à-tête has been centered around the country’s plans for elections, which in October 2024, seemed like theatrical poetry in motion. Leaders of the federal government, three regional heads, and Mogadishu’s governor beamed as they welcomed a new framework for Somalia’s inaugural one-person, one-vote elections. What a time to be alive and voting!

Of course, not everyone is breaking out the party horns. For instance, Northeastern State’s President Said Abdullahi Deni and Jubaland’s President Ahmed Mohamed Islam (familiarly called Madobe) have thrown their hats in the ring of opponents, spotlighting the schisms within the federal apparatus. It seems like they aren’t quite ready to jump on the electoral reform bandwagon just yet. I wonder if that bandwagon has enough seats for everyone anyway?

Yet, this wave of resistance isn’t about to cause the carriage to derail. The Somali government, with a sort of ‘you shall not pass’ determination reminiscent of legendary wizards from fiction, remains committed to rolling out these electoral changes. Minister Moalim echoed, like a clarion call, the intent to establish an equitable and open process. This electoral reform isn’t just a pitstop; it’s seen as an essential journey to fortify the fragile framework of democracy and governance in Somalia. “Somalia needs this,” Moalim affirmed with a conviction that could rival a flock of migrating birds heading south.

Within this boisterous and colorful mosaic of political maneuvers, one can’t help but ask—will these winds of change sweep peace, or are they merely dust devils twirling across the landscape? The answer, perhaps, like a sand crab skittering sideways on the beach, remains elusive. Yet, as the sun sets on Mogadishu, the heartbeat of a nation looking to the horizon remains palpably hopeful, ever eager, and surprisingly steady.

Report By Axadle