Britain raises concerns over possible Al-Shabaab interference in Somalia's polls

Foster took up her appointment as UK ambassador to Somalia during February 2021 [Photo: UK govt]

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Al-Shabaab's possible interference of Somalia's local polls cannot be ruled out, United Kingdom's ambassador Kate Foster has said, adding that the current indirect poll system is "too porous" and can give avenue for such infiltration.

Somalia is currently holding elections and already, a number of states have conducted senatorial polls. Those in charge are organizing how to conduct parliamentary elections, which will be equally critical in the elections of the president later on in October.

For the credibility of the polls to improve, Ms. Foster said there is a need to look into the delegate selection process, which she believes paves way for possible infiltration. A number of local elders and members of civil society will be tasked to pick delegates.

"Yeah, I mean it is [Al-shabaab threat] it is a concern. I think what is important is that to come back to the delegate selection process, I think how that process happens matters and makes a quite significant difference," she said. "The credibility of the process ahead of us. I think once we’re through this election, there will be a conversation."

Stakeholders settled on indirect elections after months of wrangles thus making it difficult for implementation of the universal suffrage elections. Initially, the country was preparing for direct polls but implementation became difficult.

In the future, Ms. Foster says the country just rethink holding direct polls which minimize Al-Shabaab influence on the ballot. There are concerns that some elders could be compromised by the militants to pick delegates in a manner that favors them.

"I hope that will very much be led by, um, the people of Somalia about how we move to a voting system that really is very accountable to the people of Somalia in a way that perhaps doesn’t entirely exist with the current process," she noted.

The British envoy lauded the current preparations for direct polls in some districts within Puntland. The northern state of Somalia has been doing voter registration and in the coming months, locals will have chances to pick civic leaders.

According to her, Puntland has set an example that indeed, direct elections can be held in Somalia. She said the exercise has attracted locals in Puntland, showcasing the need for Somalia to adopt the system, which increases credibility in the process.

"The UK previously has advocated strongly for moving towards a one person, one vote process. And that is a process that I think would help address some of these concerns in the future. It’s interesting up in Puntland at the district level, um, one person, one vote, um, has been trialed and district council elections, and it’s, the feedback is really positive," she noted.

"It seems to be really appealing to the population and people are enjoying having the opportunity to express directly that individual view and preference for our candidates. So I think that’s a conversation that we’re really keen to have following the completion of their selection."

Ms. Foster also lauded efforts made so far in conducting elections, arguing that starting the process was the most important thing. Al-Shabaab still controls large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia according to UN reports.

GAROWE ONLINE