The election, which was due to begin this Sunday according to the official calendar, has not started despite a political crisis that shook Somalia for several months.
President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed’s term expired on February 8, resulting in violent clashes in Mogadishu in April. In early May, in a gesture of appeasementthe President delegated the organization of the vote to his Prime Minister. A shop was then found between the federal government and semi-autonomous regions. An agreement that had resulted in an election calendar that gave some hope. But barely started, it is already behind.
And yet there is a long election cycle waiting for Somalia. The vote will take place there according to an indirect system in which special delegates, elected by the clans, vote for the parliamentarians, who in turn will appoint the president.
According to the official calendar, this process would begin this Sunday with the senatorial election. Followed by Members of Parliament’s lower house in September. And finally, the President’s on October 10.
Lack of funds, Parliament on holiday …
But the senatories did not take place. The regions where the senate representatives were to be elected did not submit the list of candidates before the deadline of 24 July. Most states, with the exception of Jubaland and the Southwest, have not appointed their delegates either.
In addition, some regions have different problems. National media reported that there were not enough funds to organize the polls in some states. In Galmudug, Parliament is on holiday until 1 August. As for Somaliland, it still has to resolve internal disputes, especially over the composition of its election committee.
Jubaland currently seems to be the best party to organize this vote. It can happen during the week.
