Somalia’s Galmudug State is in the grips of a full-blown political crisis

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Galmudug state of Somalia is entering the most perilous and uncertain phase of its sudden political crisis as the local authorities and Federal Government are in deadlock over elections, Garowe Online reports.

The new twist of political crisis emerged after Galmudug chief cabinet, Sheikh Mohamed Shakir, who is also the leader of the powerful Sufi group Ahlu Sunna rejected Gov’t-appointed 13-member poll committee assigned to oversee the vote.

On 22 October, Shakir appointed a parallel technical committee to oversee the state election process, in defiance of the federal government decision, which is seen as ‘illegitimate’ interference in the internal affairs of the region.

Early this month, two of the main candidates of the upcoming Galmudug state regional elections have opposed a technical committee formed by Somalia’s Ministry of Interior to lead the electoral process by the end of 2019.

Former Interior Minister, Abdirahman Odowa and Villa Somalia director at President Sheikh Sharif government, Kamal Gutale argued the stakeholders from the state have not been consulted in the formation of the polls body.

They accused the Federal Government of Somalia of trying to manipulate the process by naming a committee contains civil servants and individuals that closely work with their opponent in the upcoming regional elections.

The tension simmers in Galmudug state capital, Dhusarameb as the Somali police force and the national intelligence services have officially taken over the security ahead of the dispute-riddled parliamentary and presidential vote.

Since its inception in 2014, Galmudug state in central Somalia with a population estimated 5.53 million has been gripped by political crisis and divisions with alleged continued interference from the Federal Government of Somalia [FGS].

The Mogadishu-based government was blamed for being responsible for the deaths of 15 civilians shot dead in Baidoa city during clashes between security forces and supporters of former deputy Al-Shabab leader Mukhtar Robow, who was arrested by Ethiopian soldiers then transferred to Mogadishu prison.

Robow has surrendered to the Somali government in 2017 and was running for Southwest State presidency, however, the government banned him from contesting the poll and the security forces arrested him in early December 2018.

In January of this year, UN envoy, Nicholas Haysom was told to leave the country by Somali Government after calling for an inquiry into civilian casualties during protests over former deputy Al-Shabaab leader’s arrest.

GAROWE ONLINE