Why is the Union of Somali Presidential Candidates Crying Wolf?

[Deeq A.]

The Union of Somali Presidential Candidates subtly uses their stronghold to threaten the national governance.

In 2016, when preparations for the first indirect elections were underway, the electoral process was almost centralized: federal member states did not have leverage unlike the current leaders of Federal Member States who single-handedly influenced the selection of Senators. Why is the Union of Presidential Candidates made up mainly of Aala Sheikh (Sharif Sheikh Ahmed’s group) and Damuljadid (Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s clique) crying wolf over election of MPs? The attempt to return to the power in a country the two groups of religious opportunists have polarized is mind-boggling. It shows how the nascent state-building endevors are vulnerable to being hijacked by two cliques united by the common position to keep Somalia eternally dependent on AMISOM.

The two groups in question do not seem to have clues as to how Somalia is gradually moving from a rule by ruthless interest groups to decentralization: their threat to governance if their wishes are not granted reminds me of how warlords were behaving during nineties when the state was synonymous with a government based in Mogadishu.

Guled Salah, TPEC Chairman, owes South West State an apology for insinuating that Jawari is being prevented from running for a parliamentary seat.

That much of the electoral outcomes will be decided by MPs and Senators elected outside Mogadishu reflects the modicum of success attained through the federal system, which is in its infancy. Irregularities might happen but there are mechanisms in place to address any complaints within reason. This fact was lost on Guled Salah, the Chairman of Transitional Puntland Electoral Commission who tweeted that “it is inappropriate to prevent Mohamed Osman Jawari from running for a parliamentary seat” and that “incumbent leaders will one day become victims”. In one tweet Guled attacked the integrity of the federal electoral commission. How would he have responded if the a federal electoral commission member had alleged that TPEC favored certain political associations during pilot local elections in Puntland?

Guled owes apology to the South West State of Somalia. Jawari is an elder statesman who was elected the Speaker of the Federal Parliament twice. It is an open secret that Jawari is aligned politically with Damuljadid. Nothing is wrong with his political inclination but it is unfair to South West State elders to assume that they have a duty to elect Jawari. The evolution of our federal system is something to be proud of particularly when the political influence of the capital does not determine who becomes an MP or Senator. It is a process that the Union of Presidential Candidates should applaud in their stronghold — Mogadishu.

By Osman Aliyow

The post Why is the Union of Somali Presidential Candidates Crying Wolf? appeared first on Puntland Post.