MOGADISHU, Somalia – As political tensions over the new proposals for holding one-person, one-vote elections continue to escalate, ministers have started resigning from their positions in what appears to be a political campaign against Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the incumbent President of Somalia.
On Sunday, Abdirashid Jire Qaline, State Minister for Planning, officially handed over his resignation letter to Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, citing growing concern regarding the political uncertainty within the central government of Somalia.
Minister Qaline said his resignation was due to Somalia’s shift from a path of security and progress to a dangerous situation that could lead to the collapse and fragmentation of the already war-ravaged nation.
Mr. Prime Minister, I have observed the government’s actions, which seem to favor personal interests over those of the Somali people. There are troubling similarities between the current administration and that of 2017-2022, both of which contributed to political instability and societal division,” he said.
He said the clan-based power-sharing system of 4.5 has been abandoned in favor of the UPD party led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. He also alleged an ongoing plot by the central government to incite conflict in the Puntland, Jubaland, and Khatumo regions, which he said was affecting his constituency and representation in the Executive Council.
He also touched on funds meant for the fight against Al-Shabaab being misused and on secret deals signed with foreign countries that were hidden from the public, Parliament, and legislative bodies.
Meanwhile, Ahmed Osman Daqare also stepped down from his post as the deputy minister of education, citing the country’s leadership is not on the right track. His resignation marks the second departure of a minister in a matter of hours.
Both ministers hail from the Jubaland state constituency. This comes amid rising tensions between Jubaland state leadership Ahmed Madobe and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud over the controversial proposals for one-person, one-vote elections.
Madobe invited all lawmakers from the Lower House and Upper House for consultation. He also plans to hold an indirect leadership election for Jubaland this month. This move is seen as a major blow to President Mohamud’s push for one-person, one-vote elections.
Despite calls for talks to resolve his election plan row with Jubaland and Puntland states in Somalia, President Mohamud seems determined to move forward with the one-person, one-vote system, amid political outcry from opposition leaders. They also allege such unilateral actions could lead to societal division, political uncertainty, and chaos in Somalia.
