Somalia: Growing Tensions Over Jubaland’s Election Dispute with FGS as Mediation Hits a Standstill
KISMAYO, Somalia – The frosty rapport between Jubaland and Mogadishu shows no signs of thawing anytime soon, as the road to reconciliation stretches on. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre throws a stern reminder against deploying regional forces to tilt election outcomes.
Jubaland officials, now acting without a handshake deal with Mogadishu, have tossed their hat in the ring, opting for indirect elections over the one-person, one-vote approach championed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. This sets the stage for a possible showdown in the lead-up to the 2026 elections.
Amidst this backdrop, Jubaland has planned its indirect presidential elections for next week, intending to execute an electoral process distinct from Hassan Sheikh’s grand design. Once mates, Madobe and Hassan Sheikh now find themselves at odds, with Madobe forecasted for an easy victory.
In a solemn ceremony on Tuesday, Jubaland ushered in 75 freshly minted parliamentarians, setting the stage for the presidential election slated for November 25th, as outlined by the regional electoral commission’s timeline.
However, Barre, with roots deep in Jubaland soil, warns of the harmful aftermath such a tactic might incur. He underscores that the federal government staunchly opposes the employment of regional might to sway election dynamics, aiming to sculpt Somalia’s democracy with care.
“If anyone thinks to co-opt local forces for election mischief, the repercussions will resonate far and wide,” emphasized Barre. He cautioned against trivializing crucial democratic endeavors: “We won’t stand idle as attempts are made to derail our democratic journey in the nation.”
In a barrage of critiques, Barre casts aspersions on the credibility of Jubaland’s electoral process, wherein traditional chiefs handpick lawmakers to choose the president — a longstanding tradition in Somalia’s political landscape.
“He’s bereft of authority to govern and organize polls in Jubaland,” Barre remarked, as Madobe gears up for the November 25th election unfazed by Villa Somalia’s disapproval.
For Madobe, embracing a universal suffrage model presents a loophole for unprecedented term prolongations for leaders at both the regional and federal tiers, echoing support from Northeastern State. This united front has brought collaborations with the federal government to an abrupt halt.
Internally, Somalia’s administration stands amidst considerable turmoil. With Hassan Sheikh critiqued for endorsing term extensions — a practice he disdained during Farmajo’s tenure, the past casts a long shadow over the present political scene.
AXADLETM
