By Yahye S. Bulqaas
Mogadishu (Commentary) For far too long the 4.5 power-sharing system has retained an explanatory appeal for political analysts preoccupied with making sense of the Somali political turmoil. Unveiled in 2000 at Djibouti-sponsored Somali Reconciliation Confrence, the power-sharing formula divides Somalis into four major clans and an alliance of clans known as
Others.
Since 1960 the presidency has rotated between two clans Darod and Hawiye. Professor Ahmed Ismail Samatar described this uncodified arrangement as duopoly. This theory works if one pays attention to clan identities of Somalia’s successive presidents. It loses its analytical power if one concentrates on the nature of election outcomes since 2004. Neither the incumbent President of Somalia Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed nor his predecessor Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was a favourite candidate in 2017 and 2012 respectively.
Government, opposition blame each other for talks’ failure Mohammed Dhaysane | 08.04.2021
MOGADISHU, Somalia
The latest round of talks between the Somali central government and the five federal states’ leaders and the mayor of Mogadishu to end a political stalemate on elections collapsed Wednesday.
Somali Information Minister Osman Dubbe said leaders of the regional states of Puntland and Jubbaland are not willing to hold elections based on agreements of Sept. 17 and Feb. 16.
“Finally, as part of the government s effort to transition Somalia towards peaceful, inclusive, timely and transparent elections, President @M Farmaajo agreed to engage in the leadership consultative summit; unfortunately, Jubaland and Puntland leadership dishonored the forum,” Somali Presidency said on Twitter.