Somalia: Ahmed Madobe romps to victory in Jubaland

KISMAYO, Somalia - Outspoken Jubaland leader Ahmed Madobe secured his 3rd term on Monday amid fierce resistance from Mogadishu, which is fighting for the implementation of a universal suffrage model of elections, an idea opposed by both Kismayo and Garowe.

Madobe, who bolted out of the National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting last month, sailed to victory after securing 55 votes out of the 75 cast by the regional lawmakers. He will be in charge of Jubaland for the next five years.

His primary challenger, Abubakar Omar Ali, garnered 16 votes, while the third candidate, Faysal Muktar, trailed with just 4 votes, official results posted by the poll agency show. Last week, through the indirect model, Jubaland elders had picked lawmakers for the next assembly.

Notably, the election took place amidst notable friction with Somalia's federal government, which had attempted to intervene in the process, highlighting ongoing political tensions within the country. Despite these challenges, the vote proceeded as planned in Kismayo.

Over the weekend, Ahmed Madobe downplayed the federal government's refusal to recognize if he wins a fourth term in the November 25 election. Speaking confidently, Madobe said, "I will be President for Jubaland, not the Somali Federal Government [FGS]."

"If you [MPs] elect me, I'll negotiate with FGS to work together on the people's and nation's interest," said Ahmed Madobe, Jubaland's incumbent president while campaigning for a 4th term against the wish of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Jubaland elections come after the federal bicameral house validated the proposals to hold universal suffrage elections, which also seek to realign federal state elections with those of the presidency. The proposal, once implemented, would see Somalia shifting to a presidential system from the current parliamentary model.

Madobe insists the direct polls would give room for illegal term extensions for federal and state leaders, a claim backed by his Puntland counterpart Said Abdullahi Deni. Both Jubaland and Puntland have denounced the federal government, consequently, cutting cooperation.

Among the top concerns for Madobe would be an effective fight against Al-Shabaab militants, a group that is gaining momentum across the state. By the end of this year, most members of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) would leave as the mission transitions to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

GAROWE ONLINE