Somalia races against clock to finalize long-running election

Gedo dispute over 16 seats in Garbaharey city is a stumbling block as local people reject attempts by Jubaland state president Ahmed Madobe to move the election to El-Wak city or Kismayo under his rule.

News Keydmedia Online
14 March 2022

MOGADISHU, Somalia - One day has left for the March 15 deadline to complete the long-delayed parliamentary election in Somalia that has been dragging on since July 2021.

So far, 222 MPs out of the 275-seat Lower House have been elected from the five federal States and the capital with no sign to fill the 55 seats in a day as the deadlock between the leaders still remains unresolved.

The election faces again a further delay that could result in the imposition of visa restrictions by the U.S. for the leaders branded as spoilers and others deemed to be the main obstacle to the electoral process.

Gedo dispute over 16 seats in Garbaharey city is a stumbling block as local people reject attempts by Jubaland state president Ahmed Madobe to move the election to El-Wak city or Kismayo under his rule.

Somali PM Mohamed Hussein Roble who was assigned in May 2021 to lead the election process faced a power struggle from the outgoing president Farmajo whose 4-year term has ended in Feb last year.

Farmajo who is seeking re-election was accused of interference in the election using the armed forces as a tool to hijack the process for his loyalists to become members of the upcoming Somali parliament.

The delays in the election have led to a fresh conflict in the country, including Mogadishu, Bossaso, Beledweyne, and Gedo, where rival sides clashed over the race for the Lower House seats.

KEYDMEDIA English