Somalia: Farmajo shrugs off opponents as opposition intensifies onslaught

MOGADISHU, Somalia - For the first time in as many months President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo indicated that after all, the much-anticipated elections might go on as planned, a move that could trigger a heated political debate in Somalia, a country struggling with instability for over three decades now.

Initially, both the federal government and member states had agreed to have elections from December 1, 2020, but the plans seem to have changed following the latest twist on the appointment of Electoral Committee members, who have faced rejection from the opposition.

The opposition accuses the federal government of planning to rig elections, arguing that many of those picked to conduct elections are agents of National Intelligence Security Agency, loyalists of President Mohamed Abdullahi, or civil servants, a claim which the administration of Farmajo denies.

And on Saturday, Farmajo praised the government for its commitment to hold timely elections, arguing that the team is ready to carry out the exercise without fear or intimidation. The president said that he had "confidence" in the team that was picked to conduct elections.

This is contrary to what the opposition has been saying, an indication that the duel is far from over. The country is now likely to be thrown into limbo and perhaps, plunge into chaos, which is, however, synonymous given to the tough internal politics of the Horn of Africa nation.

On Saturday, the opposition team nominated a parallel electoral committee team which they insisted will go on with polls, warning that President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo will take responsibility for the consequences, in yet a dramatic move that shows the disconnect between the two teams.

Among those who issued a statement in rejection of plans to hold elections without consensus were former Presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud along with former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire. The team has been pushing for consensus.

Amid the standoff, the disputed Somalia's election commission picked Mohamed Hassan as the new chairman and will be deputized by Mowlid Matan. Jubaland and Puntland have no representatives in the poll body which the opposition maintains is compromised.

The 14 presidential candidates dubbed their parallel electoral committee as “national salvation electoral committee” which is essentially a parallel committee to work on holding elections. It followed after the disputed national electoral committee chose a chair of the elections on Saturday.

GAROWE ONLINE