Somalia's opposition submits names of "unwanted" electoral committee members

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Union of Presidential Candidates has submitted names of at least 20 individuals accused of being agents of the state in the electoral committee, whom they accuse of plotting to rig upcoming elections in the Horn of Africa nation.

Somalia's political leaders signed a pre-election pact a week ago and it's expected that elections will take place within the next sixty days. Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble was tasked to ensure the exercise is free, fair, and transparent.

But even before arrangements start, the opposition insists a number of electoral committee members are agents of spy agency NISA, security agents, or sycophants of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, who will be facing tough contest in coming weeks.

Farmajo had attempted to extend his term by two more years but the move was thwarted by the opposition, members of the international community, and some disgruntled members of the Somali National Army [SNA] who led protests in Mogadishu.

In a tweet, state media quoted Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble's spokesperson Mohamed Moalimuu, adding that the opposition has since submitted the names of those accused to be working for the state in the commission.

"Members from Union of Presidential Candidates including former Presidents have submitted on Monday to PM Mohamed Roble a list of certain members in electoral commissions in both Federal & State levels whom they have complaints against them and concerned about their impartiality," read the tweet.

Roble, whose intervention saw the country's leading sign of the historical electoral deal, formed a ministerial-level committee that will look into the complaints. The opposition was asked to table "tangible" evidence on the allegations facing the individuals.

Although their names are yet to be made public, it's believed that most of them work closely with National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA] boss Fahad Yasin, who is a close associate of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, whose term ended in February.

The teams had also signed a host of agreements including elections in Gedo which would be supervised by Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble. The fight against Al-Shabaab and the talks with Somaliland is expected to be concluded by 2022.

GAROWE ONLINE