The East African
Monday February 15 2021
Women protest against the Somali President Mohamed Abdulahi Farmaajo in Mogadishu on December 15, 2020, over interference in electoral process. PHOTO | FILE | NMG
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Apprehension is building over the future of Somalia, after a missed presidential election on February 8. A three-day meeting between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), and the five Federal Member States of Somalia (FMS), to try to stave off a constitutional crisis earlier this month, did not yield tangible outcome beyond an agreement to defer talks to February 15.
Considering the fragile situation in the country, the fears are not unfounded. But focusing attention exclusively on interclan tensions, the international and regional community might be missing a point. Somalia is in peril, but the solution is not in Mogadishu.
Jubaland ‘Sought’ to Open a Representative Office in Nairobi
Garowe (PP News Desk) At a question and answer session on the first day of Forum for Ideas Confrence in Garowe Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam shared an anecdote about his attempt to open a Jubaland representative office in Nairobi.
“I had the intention to open a Jubaland representative office in Nairobi. Rather than opening a seperate representative office in Nairobi, a decision that could damage the image of the Somali Embassy, I approached Ambassador Jamal [Hassan] and asked for him to accommodate the Jubaland representative’s office because I share a long border with Kenya, and Kenyan troops are in Jubaland” President Ahmed said.
Presidential Candidates Mustn’t Cause the Somali Electoral Process to Stall
Mogadishu (PP Editorial) In 2016 Puntland State rejected to sign up to the election based the 4.5 power-sharing. Puntland viewed the electoral model as violation of the pledge to hold one person, one vote elections in 2017, but supported the election if the same power-sharing system will not be repeated in 2021. The Federal Government of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud prepared the enhanced electoral model through which the Upper House had become the second arm of the new bicameral house.
The 2021 election is less onerous than the 2017 elections in the sense that the same selection process for MPs and Senators will have to be repeated. Why are Presidential Candidates questioning the process that, under the September 2020 agreement, granted Federal Member States more powers in process? It is discouraging that Jubaland demanded the withdrawal of Somali Army from Gedo region as a precondition to nominate m