Tuesday 12, Nov 2024 {HMC} Opposition groups in Somalia’s Jubbaland state have rejected the recent appointment of a regional electoral commission by Jubbaland President Ahmed Madobe, threatening to hold a separate election in Kismayo if their demands are not met.
The opposition disputed Madobe’s authority to appoint a seven-member committee to the Jubbaland Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, questioning its impartiality in managing upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in late 2024.
Opposition candidate Abdullahi Ali emphasized that Madobe bypassed necessary transparency and broad consultation.
“The opposition should have the right to nominate over 50 percent of the commission members to ensure balanced representation,” said Ali. Madobe defended the appointments, stating they were made in consultation with Jubbaland’s vice presidents.
The federal Ministry of Internal Affairs condemned the commission’s appointment as “illegal” and urged Madobe to comply with the National Consultative Council (NCC) agreements. The NCC framework, endorsed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and other federal and regional leaders, calls for a unified, universal suffrage system, setting June 2025 for local and regional elections, with parliamentary and presidential elections scheduled for September.
Source Hiiraan Online
