Fresh clashes erupt in Somalia risking election finalization

The fresh conflict between armed clan militia and SNA came after VP Dabaged attempted to hijack some of the seats that he wanted to award his close allies in the city who are seeking re-election as MPs.

News Keydmedia Online
8 March 2022

MOGADISHU, Somalia – A fresh fighting was reportedly erupted in central Somalia on Tuesday as the country struggles to finalize long-delayed parliamentary elections by March 15.

The election for 11 Lower House seats ignited a dispute between HirShabelle state leader Ali Gudlawe and his deputy Yusuf Dabaged that led to a battle in Beledweyne city, 350 kilometers north of Mogadishu.

At least two people were killed and several others wounded in Tuesday’s clashes in the central town with the latest reports indicating heavy Govt troops presence in the streets as tension remains high.

The fresh conflict between armed clan militia and SNA came after VP Dabaged attempted to hijack some of the seats that he wanted to award his close allies in the city who are seeking re-election as MPs.

This adds fuel to the fire as Somalia is on the brink to miss the final deadline for the election which saw several delays since last year due to the political rift among the central government and regional states.

Last month, the U.S. announced it imposed visa restrictions for Somali leaders – current and former, including regional leaders for undermining the democracy and became an impediment to the elections.

The election is more than one year behind the scheduled timetable with two-thirds of the members of the parliament now elected and the remaining seats estimated nearly 100 will be elected this month.

The process was marred by voter fraud, irregularities, and manipulation by the Federal and regional leaders who barred many candidates from the race and picked fresh faces and new political comers.

Somalia has been dependent on foreign aid for decades to rebuild after war civil that ravaged the country and the U.S. is a key partner in the fight against Al-Shabaab and training Danab elite forces.

KEYDMEDIA English