Elections are expected to be held in Somalia in 2020 albeit with no progress on constitutional reforms. Over the years, Somalia’s constitution has become a hostage of political instability and infighting between federal member states and the federal government. In fact, according to political observers, the electoral result depends heavily on Mogadishu’s relations with some of its federal states.
Insecurity has been the hallmark of the current President Mohamed Abdullahi Farrago’s term. He promised to replace the clan-based system with that of an electoral system based on universal suffrage. Basically, his strategy had a one-person-one-vote system plan. However, the recently published parliamentary committee report on the election modalities, concluded that Somalia cannot hold a one-person-one-vote ballot because of time constraints and the absence of a national consensus. The Somalia parliament is expected to give its approval to the committee recommendations in the coming few weeks. Lack of an election dispute resolution mechanism, security issues and the lack of widespread election participation by all Somalis are reportedly the reasons behind the parliament’s expected rejection of the proposal for universal suffrage in favor of the clan system. Regional states enjoy vote quotas through which MPs elect the president as a block, according to the interests of the respective regions. Political experts are of the view that constitutional reviews involved genuine dialogue among stakeholders and required a leadership committed to reconciliation, which is currently missing in the case of Somalia.
The re-election of President Farmaajo depends on two federal states — Jubbaland and Puntland. These states opposed a centralized system being imposed on the 2012 Provisional Constitution which provides for a federal system. The regional leaders blame President Farmaajo of undue interference in their states’ affairs, failure to defeat Al Shabaab and going against the 2012 constitution in order to consolidate power. According to media reports, he may also have to face his close ally Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, who is also in the race for the Presidential elections.
In his election propaganda, he is highlighting his achievements such as economic reforms, the war against corruption, efforts at neutralising Al-Shabaab and supporting Somalia’s territorial integrity. He claims to have removed ghost workers and reduced wastage in the finance ministry, enabling timely payment for civil servants.
