Somalia: ASWJ rejects FGS-led Galmudug election process

DHUSAMAREB, Somalia - Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’ah [ASWJ], an armed moderate Islamist group in central Somalia has rejected the Federal Government of Somalia’s meddling in Galmudug electoral process, Garowe Online reports.

The group blamed FGS for manipulating the regional state’s parliamentary and presidential elections that could undermine confidence in the process and would result in further divisions.

ASWJ said FGS handpicked 69 MPs out of the 89-member parliament and hijacked the role of the local elders to do the selection process to install in what it called a “puppet” regional assembly.

This comes a day after the electoral commission tasked with overseeing the election has unveiled a timeline for Galmudug presidential polls, saying the MPs will pick a president on 30 January.

The Sufi group which has 20 seats in the new parliament under an agreement with the Federal Government of Somalia controls large swathes of territory in Galmudug, including the capital.

The Federal State had been in political turmoil for years since the current Somali Government took power in 2017 as local politicians are in deadlock over the power with interference from FGS.

The outgoing president, Ahmed Duale Gelle Haaf also rejected the process and relocated to Galkayo, where is holding a rival election in the city to form another Galmudug administration.

The move would further deepen the long-running political crisis in the state and could hinder the efforts by Somali Government and International community to establish a new inclusive administration.

GAROWE ONLINE