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Somalia defends regional leaders' term extension as key to electoral reforms


Sunday February 2, 2025


FILE - Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama speaks during a press conference in Mogadishu, defending the government’s decision to extend regional leaders’ terms as part of ongoing electoral reforms to transition to direct voting.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia's federal government has defended its decision to extend the terms of regional state leaders, describing it as a necessary measure to advance electoral reforms and transition to a "one person, one vote" system.

Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama said the extension, which was finalized during the latest National Consultative Council meeting, is part of the federal government's plan to align the country's political calendar and simultaneously hold elections at all levels.

"The term extension is a necessary step in moving away from the clan-based, indirect system we have used for seven years," Jama told journalists in Mogadishu. "We are committed to enabling citizens to directly elect their leaders—from district officials to regional governors and federal state leaders."

Jama added that the government's recently established national electoral commission is already working on preparations, with officials travelling to key regions across Somalia's federal member states. The commission plans to oversee the transition and ensure local stakeholders are engaged.

The National Election Commission has set June 2025 as the target date for local council elections, marking a major milestone in the reform process if successful. However, the initiative has drawn criticism from opposition politicians, who argue that the process lacks transparency and could further entrench the current administration's hold on power.

Opposition figures have also expressed concerns over the timeline, warning that unresolved political disputes between the federal government and regional administrations could create further delays or conflict.

Security is another major challenge. With al-Shabaab maintaining a presence in rural areas and launching periodic attacks, ensuring that all citizens can safely participate in elections remains a key concern.

Somalia has relied on an indirect electoral system since the early 2000s, where clan elders select parliamentarians, who in turn elect the country's president. This arrangement, rooted in the 4.5 clan-based power-sharing model, was a pragmatic solution to ensure representation for a country recovering from conflict but has faced criticism for fostering corruption and limiting political participation.

Previous Somali administrations have attempted to implement universal suffrage, but these attempts have encountered significant obstacles. For instance, in 2020, the government planned to transition to a "one person, one vote" system. However, persistent political disagreements and security challenges led to the postponement of these plans. 

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who was elected by lawmakers through an indirect election in May 2022 for a four-year term, has prioritized the shift to direct voting as a key objective of his administration. Lawmakers have since proposed extending the presidential term to five years, though the amendment has yet to be ratified.

The government says its current plan will create a more inclusive, transparent, and representative political system. Jama reiterated that the government is open to dialogue with opposition groups to address their concerns but warned that further delays could jeopardize the reform timeline.

"We have a clear roadmap," Jama said. "We cannot afford to miss this opportunity for lasting political reform."



 





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