Stage set for Somalia's epic presidential election

MOGADISHU, Somalia - After over 15 months of delay, Somalia will now go to presidential polls as the country seeks to elect the 10th president, following the successful conclusion of parliamentary elections which had also been delayed due to internal wrangles.

Legislators elected Senator Abdi Hashi as the Senate speaker while Aden Sheikh Madobe was elected as Lower House speaker, in what seemed to be a comeback of the opposition, which is keen to topple outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo.

On Wednesday, the bicameral legislature held an all-important session in which the first step towards the delivery of the presidential election was mooted. Both Houses picked names of legislators who will organize and coordinate the presidential elections.

The 17-member committee will have eleven Lower House members and six senators and is tasked to among others, come up with the criteria for the presidential poll and the date for the election. It's highly likely that Somalia will have a new president this month.

As the committee retreats to compile the criteria, there is a high number of people who have expressed interest to run against Farmajo, a man under his reign, Somalia has been under persistent political wrangles, coupled with assassinations and mass violations of human rights.

The election was supposed to be done by February 8 in 2021 but unfortunately, not even MPs had been elected, thus allowing Farmajo to overstay in office. He has already indicated that he will defend his seat in the upcoming elections.

Article 89 of the Provisional Constitution notes that a new president shall be elected in a joint sitting of the Lower and Upper Houses of parliament with a winner required to garner two-thirds of the 329 votes.

Some of those on the committee includeMowliid Abdi Mohamed, MP Ali Haji Dahir, Nuur Mustaf Mukhtaar, Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu, Mohamed Ananuug, Omar Yusuf and Fardowsa Mohamed Igaal are all from the Lower House chambers.

Others are senators Ali Mohamud Ga’al of South West state, Prof. Abdi Ismail Samatar from Somaliland, Abdiqani Geelle Mohamed fro. Puntland, Farhaan Ali Mohamud from Galmudug, Ibraahim Awgaab Osman from Jubaland and Zamzam Abdullahi Ahmed who represents HirShabelle.

Among others, Farmajo is facing stiff opposition from former Presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud along with former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire and Wadajir party leader Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame.

GAROWE ONLINE