Farmajo registers his candidacy ahead of May 15 election

According to a joint parliamentary committee tasked with organizing the election, the registration began on Sunday and will go on until Tuesday to give a chance to the remaining candidates, including Said Deni.

News Keydmedia Online
9 May 2022

MOGADISHU, Somalia – The outgoing president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has today registered his presidential candidacy, joining more than 30 candidates competing against him in May 15 election.

Farmajo will compete against former presidents Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who is his predecessor, Sheikh Sharif, ex-PM Hassan Ali Khaire, his fierce critic Abdirahman Abdishakur and other candidates.

Every candidate is required to pay a $40,000 registration fee that clears him/her to join the race and be proposed by a minimum of 20 legislators or at least one of the five federal member states.

One female candidate – Fowsiya Yusuf Haji Aden who previously served as foreign minister and deputy PM during Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s government is in the male-dominated contest for the top seat.

In a televised pre-recorded speech, the term-ended leader has declared late last night his candidacy to seek a second term to lead the war-torn Horn of Africa country beset by three decades of anarchy and lawlessness.

According to a joint parliamentary committee tasked with organizing the election, the registration began on Sunday and will go on until Tuesday to give a chance to the remaining candidates, including Said Deni.

The election was scheduled to take place on youth day to send a message that the Somali people are now ready for a new change and committed to restoring their statehood and national pride after conflict.

Farmajo whose tenure expired on 8th February 2021 has extended his mandate for 15 months, violating the country’s constitution which stipulates that an elected president can stay in power for a 4-year term.

The long-delayed election of the 10th President of Somalia will be held at Afisyoni hanger around the Mogadishu airport which is largely protected by African Union forces [ATMIS].

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