MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somali lawmaker Dahir Amin Jesow has launched a blistering attack on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in a critical interview with Somali Cable, a local television station based in Mogadishu.
In discussing the electoral landscape, MP Jesow expressed concerns about President Mohamud’s push for one-person, one-vote elections in Somalia, emphasizing that this model faces significant challenges, including insufficient time to prepare for the complexities of the electoral process.
Jesow pointed to the overwhelming political pressures that could undermine the integrity of such elections, accusing President Mohamud of seeking to extend his tenure beyond his official term. “Let us not underestimate the intelligence of the Somali people. A single-voter system is unattainable at this juncture,” he stated.
He warned that any term extensions for President Mohamud could lead to what he termed “National Salvation 2,” arguing that a similar approach helped him secure re-election during his time in opposition. In 2021, the National Salvation Initiative was announced in Mogadishu by the regional states of Puntland and Jubbaland, along with opposition leaders. They united to resist then-President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo’s attempt to extend his term by two years to facilitate one-person, one-vote elections. This situation led to clashes between government forces and opposition militias, displacing many families from Mogadishu.
The political crisis was resolved when President Farmaajo retracted the parliamentary decision to extend his term, allowing for an indirect presidential election instead. Jesow claims President Mohamud is repeating the same mistakes as Farmaajo, asserting that his plan for a term extension could result in another “National Salvation” scenario in Mogadishu, potentially harming the country’s reputation.
Jesow also accused President Mohamud of emulating the long-standing leaders of Egypt and Eritrea, whom he met recently, noting that these presidents have not held elections in their respective countries for years.
Meanwhile, MP Abdirshid Jilley has raised serious concerns regarding the legitimacy and inclusiveness of President Mohamud’s proposed one-person, one-vote elections. He highlighted that Puntland and Somaliland are largely absent from the national political dialogue and decision-making processes, which could undermine efforts toward a unified and democratic Somalia.
Jilley pointed out the lack of a reliable population census, critical for ensuring fair representation in any electoral system. He also expressed skepticism about whether such elections would only take place in Mogadishu, given that Al Shabab, an al Qaeda-linked group, still controls half of the country.
Last week, President Mohamud declared that Somalia would hold one-person, one-vote elections for local, regional, and federal levels, reinforcing his commitment to fostering direct democracy in a nation striving to rebuild after years of unrest. His push for this electoral model has sparked backlash, with some regional leaders accusing him of undermining federalism.
This announcement followed a nearly week-long national consultative council (NCC) meeting in Mogadishu, led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohmud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, which ended in a deadlock over regional and national elections. Reports indicated that the meeting reached an impasse due to two main issues: a proposal to hold direct regional elections next year followed by presidential elections in June 2026, and the establishment of a single election committee—a move supported by the president and most regional leaders.
However, Jubaland leader Ahmed Madobe rejected both proposals, arguing that holding regional elections next year would require a term extension. He prefers the formation of a regional election committee alongside a national one, diverging from President Mohamud’s views. The president also favored a potential one-year extension for regional leaders to unify the electoral schedule, as agreed in May 2023. Consequently, Jubaland is expected to hold its indirect regional leadership election as early as November.
Madobe left the NCC meeting and returned to Kismayo due to unmet demands, including the inclusion of Puntland and Khatumo in electoral decision-making. Puntland’s absence is linked to ongoing political tensions with President Mohamud, while Khatumo’s exclusion remains uncertain.
Sources indicate that Madobe believes it would be futile to implement a one-person, one-vote system in certain regions if it is not applied elsewhere, particularly in Puntland. He has faced criticism for this stance, with accusations of retracting an agreement he signed in May 2023.
Analysts warn that the model championed by President Mohamud could derail upcoming elections and potentially pave the way for a term extension. They note that during his time in opposition, Hassan Sheikh frequently protested against former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo’s attempts to extend his term.
Despite calls for political inclusion, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud appears determined to proceed with the one-person, one-vote system. Concerns are growing that this move could undermine genuine democratic reform and lead to political uncertainty and chaos in Somalia.
