The Political Puzzle: Unraveling Somalia’s Democratic Dilemma
As the sun sets over Mogadishu, a familiar political dance unfolds, casting shadows on Somalia’s democratic aspirations. Former Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble’s recent accusations against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud have intensified debates about clan politics, power dynamics, and Somalia’s precarious democratic journey. But what lies at the heart of this political conundrum?
Clan Politics: A Double-Edged Sword
At a recent press conference, Roble didn’t mince words as he accused President Hassan of wielding clan identity as a tool to maintain his grip on power. Such maneuvering, he warned, could destabilize an already fragile democracy. The backdrop to this accusation is the impending end of the government’s four-year mandate, shadowed by an absence of a comprehensive electoral framework.
Opposition figures voice concerns that the electoral process resembles a closed-door affair orchestrated by a select few, risking Somalia’s national unity and institutional strength. Roble, becoming a central voice in the opposition National Salvation Forum, lamented failed attempts to bridge political divides. “We’ve met five times, hoping to mend constitutional and electoral rifts, yet each effort crumbled,” he expressed, squarely placing the blame on President Hassan.
President Hassan’s Defense
In Dhusamareb, amid the swirling debates, President Hassan held firm. Speaking from Galmudug’s heartland, he presented the fragmented opposition as the real bottleneck. “Today’s opposition lacks the harmony we once had,” he remarked, referencing the coalition he was part of in 2022. The absence of a unified vision, he argued, stifles progress.
Central to his presidency is the ambitious promise of finalizing Somalia’s long-delayed constitution and introducing a one-person, one-vote system. “To overcome these challenges, we must solidify our constitution and empower the people,” he asserted, seeing these reforms as an antidote to endless political bargaining.
A Nation’s Call for Genuine Politics
President Hassan’s vision for Somalia extends beyond personalities and short-lived alliances to establishing strong political parties rooted in principles. But unanswered questions linger: What about the alleged term extensions? As opposition factions reject the federal government’s electoral roadmap, citing unilateral decisions absent broader consensus, this issue remains a point of contention.
Roble pointedly criticized these extensions, calling them “illegal” and outside constitutional norms. “State presidents linger in office beyond their mandates without due process,” he lamented, underscoring the federal government’s leniency towards such extensions.
Challenges on the Horizon
International voices keenly observe from afar, urging compromise to preserve the nation’s stability. The specter of unresolved constitutional disputes threatens to undo hard-won security gains against al-Shabab and derails fragile state-building efforts. Will Somalia, at this crossroads, find a path to truly representative governance?
The Path Forward: A Collective Responsibility
The clock ticks toward the previously promised state presidential elections on November 30. With some state mandates expired and no elections held, the political patience of Somali citizens, clinging to hope for democratic progress, is tested further.
The real question beckoning is whether Somalia’s leaders can rally together, putting personal ambitions aside for the greater good. A united vision could pave the way for genuine reform and stability.
As Somalia teeters on this political tightrope, the world watches. The resilience of its people and leadership will undoubtedly shape the narrative moving forward. Can they unlock the door to lasting peace and democratic triumphs, or will they remain shackled to the chains of political discord?
In this delicate dance of democracy, it remains a collective responsibility—to not only strive for progress but to ensure that every Somali voice finds its rightful place in the national chorus.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
