Somalia: President Hassan Sheikh aims to secure regional allies before federal election talks

MOGADISHU, Somalia — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has privately signaled his intent to move forward with elections in three allied regional states before initiating broader federal electoral negotiations, sources within his political inner circle revealed.

In a private meeting with three core political allies earlier this week, the President reportedly outlined a strategy to first secure the leadership of Galmudug, Hirshabeelle, and Southwest State. This marks the second time in recent weeks that Mohamud has voiced this phased approach to addressing the country’s prolonged electoral deadlock.

According to participants, the President intends to engage in federal-level talks regarding the national election framework only after the regional processes are concluded. He reportedly noted that he would then consult with stakeholders who claim legal jurisdiction over the federal process.

During the discussions, President Mohamud reportedly dismissed the involvement of other high-ranking politicians from the same sub-clans in the regional election debates for Galmudug and Hirshabeelle. Sources say he asserted exclusive influence over these administrations, arguing that he was the primary architect of their current structures.

Members of the President’s team said that the strategic goal is to ensure the election of regional leaders who are strictly aligned with the President's camp. By consolidating power in these three states, Mohamud’s faction aims to enter federal negotiations with a dominant hand, ensuring they can dictate the terms of the upcoming national elections.

The move is seen as a high-stakes effort to centralize political leverage ahead of what is expected to be a contentious debate over Somalia’s federal electoral model.

GAROWE ONLINE