KISMAYO, Somalia – Jubaland’s ruler Ahmed Madobe clinched an extended stay after the regional state axed term limits, granting him a chance to govern longer, provided he triumphs in future elections.
The abolition comes amid Somalia’s unprecedented political upheaval, including significant national constitutional amendments. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has proposed a dominant presidency model, which could be mirrored across regional entities.
Madobe, at the helm since 2013, now gets another shot at re-election. Regional states had varied term stipulations, prompting Mohamud to advocate aligning national systems with federal structures.
Parliament also stretched each term’s duration from four years to five. This realignment drew flak from opposition leaders.
Last year, federal and regional chiefs agreed to initiate direct regional leadership polls by November 30, 2024. Jubaland, a relatively new state, traces its establishment to the Horn of Africa nation’s three-decade fight against chaos.
Historically, regional chieftains clamored for term extensions, sparking national uproar. Mohamud’s latest proposition could untangle this longstanding issue.
Somalia’s odyssey of statehood is marred with trials and triumphs. Recently, substantial strides in clamping down Al-Shabaab insurgents and managing internal political squabbles have been noteworthy. Authorities assure a looming total defeat of Al-Shabaab.
AXADLETM
