MOGADISHU, Somalia – The dispute over the management of the Somali elections seems far from over, following the latest alleged impeachment of Hawa Adan, who is said to be a critic of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, outgoing president of the country.
Somalia has less than two months to hold elections under the May deal, which was signed by key stakeholders following talks called by Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble.
But opposition leader Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, leader of the Wadajir party, claimed that a certain Hawa Adan was kicked out of the committee for allegedly criticizing Farmajo, who is determined to stay in power.
Abdishakur further claimed that at least 20 supporters of incumbent President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo were on the electoral commission, as well as dozens of members of the National Intelligence Security Agency. [NISA] agents, working under the supervision of Fahad Yasin, a close friend of the president.
The opposition had handed over a list of 67 names who are accused of working for the state on the committee. Most of those listed were government officials, Farmajo sycophants, or NISA agents depending on your opposition candidates.
But a ministerial-level committee chosen by Roble struck off only 34 people from the names submitted, a move that was strongly condemned by the opposition. According to presidential candidates, there is sufficient evidence linking the 67s to the state.
Despite the latest opposition claims, the prime minister’s office and other state officials have yet to comment. So far, Roble has assembled a team of advisers who will be domiciled in his office to help him deliver the polls.
Somalia is under increasing pressure to hold elections, with the international community warning that the absence of elections will result in the suspension of aid to the country. Farmajo’s term expired in February, but he has yet to hold an election following a domestic conflict.
AXADLETM
