A FORMER SOMALI PRIME MINISTER’S PAR CHARTS A SECULAR COURSE IN SOMALI POLITICS

[Deeq A.]

Mogadishu (PP News DesK) — Ali Mohamed Gedi, a former Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia and the leader of Somali Patriotic Party, has clarified why his party is not a member of Forum for National Parties.

In an interview with Puntland Post Monthly Mr Gedi said differences in principle and political programmes make the case for forming a pact with the Forum tenuous.

Ali M. Gedi: In favour of one person, one vote

Mr Gedi said Somali Patriotic Party is based on secularism and human rights. Former TFG President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed heads the The Forum for National Parties. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s Peace and Development Party is a member of the Forum.

“The Forum is an alliance of parties viewed by many potential voters as opportunists using religion to gain power again by hook and crook” says Saleh Aden, a political commentator. “Both President Sharif and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud belong to Aala Sheikh and Damuljadiid groups respectively. Mr Gedi is right to differentiate Somali Patriotic Party ideologically. Secularism is not anti-religion in the Somali context. Those using religion to gain political power are putting people off politicians with overt or covert religious platforms.”

One person, one vote elections are slated to take place in Somalia in 2021. Somali Patriotic Party was formed in 2016. It has branches in Federal Member States.

© Puntland Post,  2020

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