Somalia: Hassan Sheikh Rejects Jubaland Election Model He Endorsed During Farmajo-Era

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A fresh political battle is looming in Somalia after Jubaland President Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe defied the order by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on preparations for direct polls, with Jubaland now preferring to hold indirect elections.

A few weeks ago, Madobe stormed out of Mogadishu, arguing that any attempt to anchor universal suffrage elections would lead to automatic term extension, an idea which he says would significantly impact the term limits as enshrined in the constitution.

Madobe has now gone ahead and appointed an electoral committee to organise indirect elections which are set to take place soon. The federal government has condemned the move, terming it 'dishonest' and 'retrogressive'.

In a statement, the federal government said the effort to hold indirect election violates agreements reached by the federal and regional leaders on unifying national and regional elections, holding direct elections and appointing a single border and election commission, Voice of America reports.

The government described the steps taken by President Madobe as “illegal” and claimed his term expired on August 2023. Since then he was in office based on political agreement, the statement argued.

Late last month, the federal government and some regional leaders agreed to hold direct local elections in June 2025, and regional parliamentary and leadership elections in September 2025. It appears Jubaland leadership is determined to hold its own indirect elections within the next few weeks.

Hassan Sheikh flew to Kenya to seek intervention from President William Ruto over the stalemate and Kenya has since dispatched mediators to Kismayo but it is highly likely that they are yet to broker a deal to end the impasse, which could stagnate the peacekeeping process.

On Sunday, multiple sources confirmed to Garowe Online that the Somali Federal Government has requested ATMIS forces to take over the management of Kismayo Airport, the interim capital of Jubaland. However, ATMIS has stated it cannot assume this role as the airport is currently managed by Jubaland authorities.

This move comes amid reports that Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre plans a visit to Kismayo, his native region, and may oppose Jubaland’s anticipated election plans—a development that could escalate tensions militarily and politically.

Jubaland officials are currently holding an emergency meeting and are expected to issue an official statement soon. Jubaland and Puntland are against the idea of holding direct polls without consultations.

President Hassan Sheikh of the Federal Government is pushing for a one-person, one-vote election model without full agreement from all parties. This has included amending parts of the Federal Constitution, which has fueled disputes with the Federal Member States.

In the last NCC meeting, which was boycotted by Jubaland, Villa Somalia extended the terms of leaders in three states by one year—a move President Ahmed Madobe strongly opposed as unlawful. Madobe was a close ally of Mogadishu before the latest controversy escalated, straining their relationship.

The president of Somalia Hassan Sheikh has already made proposals for constitutional changes which i affected, would see Somalia shifting from a parliamentary system to a presidential system of governance.

GAROWE ONLINE