Former Somali finance Minister announces presidential candidacy

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A former Finance Minister has joined Somalia's presidential race, becoming the latest entrant in much-anticipated elections, whose date and model is yet to be determined, given the ongoing wrangles among critical stakeholders.

Currently, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, who has expressed intentions of defending his seat, is meeting five regional leaders and Banadir governor in Mogadishu, with the team expected to come up with tangible resolutions which could reduce the anxiety that is gradually building up in Somalia.

And Hussein Abdi Halane, who served as finance minister, on Sunday said he's ready to challenge for the big seat, arguing that he has the experience and expertise to steer the country during the tough transitional period, which is coupled by unending Al-Shabaab attacks.

Halane, who is the leader of the Life and Justice Party, said that he joined the race after consulting "various stakeholders" across Somalia. According to him, security and economic stability will be his major points of focus, adding that he's optimistic of real change.

With universal suffrage elections ruled out this year, the president will be elected by MPs, who will be chosen by a few electors. At Dhusamareb III conference, the country's leadership had agreed on constituency caucus model, but it's yet to be approved by the leadership of Jubaland and Puntland.

The former finance boss joins a race which could be competitive in Somalia's history. Ex-presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh have already agreed to team up ahead of elections under FNP.

Over the weekend, immediate former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire also announced his bid for the presidency, almost two months after his acrimonious fallout with Farmajo. He was ousted by MPs over the controversy surrounding the upcoming polls.

On his Twitter account, Khaire made the announcement on Saturday, arguing that he will "fix this country" and give the entire population "desired hope" which they have been yearning for. He said his decision was "well calculated and for the interest of Somali people".

Khaire made the announcement 50 days after MPs hounded him from office, following a pre-election standoff between the Federal Government of Somalia and member states. While Khaire was pushing for early elections just like the FMS leaders, his boss, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo was lukewarm in the entire process.

And moments after Dhusamareb II talks over the quagmire, Khaire was sacked, a move which triggered international condemnation. To date, Farmajo is yet to get a substantive replacement of Khaire, despite promising to ensure that an appointment is done "soonest".

The ex-oil executive and aid worker was appointed as PM in Feb 2017, a position which he held for many days compared to any of his predecessors. Most holders of the office quit government within a short period due to disagreements with appointing authorities, and the current president falls in that category.

After his removal, sources had told Garowe Online that his removal was engineered by plans to contest against Farmajo, but the president squarely blamed the decision on parliament. He has been holding several meetings with advisors ever since leaving office in July with reports indicating that he has been operating from Nairobi.

GAROWE ONLINE