Somalia: Jubaland elects four remaining senators

KISMAYO, Somalia - The state assembly of Jubaland on Thursday elected four of the remaining senators in what will effectively bring to almost the closure of senatorial polls, which started in the month of July this year.

Jubbaland was the first to elect senators on July 29 but went on a long break before resuming the exercise as President Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe retreated to craft the final list of candidates who are set to compete in coming hours.

The lawmakers of Jubaland state voted to elect two men and two women who are Hassan Dahir, Ibrahim Awgab, Leylo Nur, and Maryan Farah from eight candidates who run for the seats.

Once today’s exercise is concluded, Galmudug will be the only state remaining to fill up all eight seats, but the central state of Somalia has already elected six senators. Jubaland on the other hand is also allocated eight seats, and four have been filled.

On Monday, President Ahmed Madobe released the list, ending the much-awaited anxiety which had almost crippled the state. Already, four senators have been elected in Jubaland of the 8 seats allocated to the state.

The new list includes two women-only seats and has attracted five female candidates, a massive improvement towards the achievement of the much-needed gender mainstreaming in the federal republic of Somalia.

Jubaland was the first to elect senators on July 29 but only four out of eight senators were picked. The regional assemblies are responsible for the elections of senators, who represent the state at the federal parliament.

Some of the candidates who will contest for the remaining seats include Leyla Nuuh Maah, Hareedo Mohamed Sheikh, Ibrahim Awgaab Osman, and Farhiya Maalin Abdi. Others are Maryan Faraah Kadiye, Samsam Mohamed Bishar, Hassan Dahir Yarisow, and Ali Mohamed Ali.

Once elections of senators are over, Somalia will embark on a competitive process of electing Lower House members, who together with senators will vote for the new president. A complete bicameral legislature has 54 senators and 275 Lower House members.

GAROWE ONLINE