Sunday 8,Dec, 2024 {HMC} Somalia is hurtling toward its first one-person, one-vote election in over five decades, an ambitious goal that has ignited fierce debate over its feasibility and fairness. While the federal government promises elections within seven months, deep political divisions and logistical hurdles loom large.
The National Electoral Commission Chairman, Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan, announced the timeline earlier this week, framing it as a pivotal step toward democracy. “We will register political associations and transition them into official parties,” Abdikarin told the BBC, outlining plans to hold local council elections based on one-person, one-vote principles.
The move, supported by laws passed by parliament, aims to shift Somalia from a clan-based power-sharing system to a modern democratic model.
The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders, who accuse President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of undermining democratic norms. Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, and MP Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame issued a joint statement rejecting the new electoral commission.
“President Hassan inherited a functioning framework,” their statement read. “He dismantled it to suit his personal agenda, sidelining key stakeholders and undermining consensus.”
Opposition leaders argue that the commission lacks legitimacy, urging international partners to pressure the government into broader political consultation.
Somalia’s fractured political landscape further complicates the situation. Relations between the federal government and Jubaland remain tense, with both sides accusing each other of undermining cooperation. Somaliland declared independence three decades ago and remains outside the electoral equation.
MP Mursal Mohamed Khalif, a vocal critic, described the plan as unworkable. “Elections require consensus. With the opposition excluded and federal member states divided, this process cannot move forward,” Mursal said during a BBC debate. He urged the government to prioritize national reconciliation before pursuing ambitious reforms.
Despite skepticism, some lawmakers back the government’s plan. MP Mohamed Adan Dahir (Caanoy) argued that the elections are both necessary and achievable. “The Somali people have waited over 50 years for this opportunity,” he said. “Parliament has provided the legal framework, and the timing is right.”
Caanoy dismissed concerns over the commission’s legitimacy, stating that laws were debated and passed by majority vote.
Experts caution that logistical challenges could derail the plan. Former electoral commission chairperson Halima Ismail (Halima Yarey) cited the commission’s inexperience, lack of funding, and security issues as major obstacles.
“Regions outside government control and the absence of a unified electoral law make it unlikely that elections can proceed on schedule,” Halima said.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has doubled down on his commitment, describing the elections as a cornerstone of Somalia’s democratic evolution. “We are determined to hold these elections and address all concerns through dialogue,” he said during a recent speech.
With files from the BBC Somali Service
