MOGADISHU, Somalia– On Sunday, Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe appointed a seven-member election committee to oversee an indirect leadership election, directly challenging Somalia’s one-person, one-vote system.
The move was condemned by the Somali federal government, which argued it violated key agreements between federal and regional leaders. These agreements include holding direct elections and creating a unified election commission for both national and regional elections.
In a statement, the Ministry of Interior called Madobe’s actions “illegal,” saying his term officially ended in August 2023. Since then, they argued, he has only stayed in office through a political agreement.
Tensions flared last month after Madobe withdrew from the national consultative council meeting, arguing that holding direct elections would require a term extension.
Later that month, the federal government and several regional leaders reached an agreement to hold direct local elections in June 2025, followed by regional parliamentary and leadership elections in September 2025.
Reliable sources indicate that President Madobe is determined to proceed with his own indirect elections in the coming weeks.
On Sunday, the Himilo Qaran Party, led by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, congratulated President Ahmed Madobe for his constitutional decision to appoint an independent commission for borders and elections in Jubaland.
Sheikh Ahmed referred to Article 120(d) of the Provisional Constitution, which states that the establishment of legislative and executive branches in regional governments within the Federal Republic of Somalia should be governed by the constitutions of the regional states.
He also urged the Somali government’s leadership to stop violating the country’s constitution and to end both direct and indirect interference in the affairs of the regional states.
“We oppose the flawed and undemocratic approach the Federal Government is taking towards the regional states,” Ahmed said. “We support anyone who stands up against political manipulation that isn’t backed by law.”
Ahmed also warned the federal government against organizing armed uprisings to destabilize peace and order in Jubaland. He urged other regional governments whose terms have ended to stick to the constitution and hold elections, to avoid causing chaos in peaceful areas.
When he was in opposition, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud supported similar actions by Madobe during the time of former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo. Now, President Mohamud finds himself in Farmaajo’s position, pushing for popular elections while Madobe rejects the idea.
