Somalia's President Pledges Direct Elections Despite Political Crisis and Security Threats

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia shall hold direct polls no matter the 'noise' from critics, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said, laying the ground for yet another heated political debate in the country which is yet to hold universal suffrage elections since 1969.

The tussle has created political debates and animosity in the country for the last two years, with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud proposing monumental constitutional changes. The country is set to transition from an indirect model of elections which has been used for three decades.

But despite the push to have universal suffrage elections which would see the president pick a running mate in the elections, some leaders have opposed the move, citing the fragility of the country and the Al-Shabaab threat which has not been fixed.

Puntland opposed the "illegal" constitutional changes and for the last 12 months, it has suspended cooperation with the government in Mogadishu. Under the leadership of President Hassan Sheikh, Somalia faced the worst crisis.

On Wednesday, Hassan Sheikh reiterated that Somalia's next leader will come from "the ballot box," promising a one-person, one-vote election, a first in 55 years. He makes this pledge as his government is not in control of most parts of the country and Al-Shabaab posing a threat to security.

Last week, Jubaland leader Ahmed Madobe stormed out of the National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting, claiming that realigning state elections with national polls would lead to term extensions. Currently, there is no institutionalised electoral commission which can undertake the polls.

Ilyas Osman Lugator, the Vice President of Puntland, accused the Somali government of undermining the Federal State's existence, highlighting ongoing tensions over disputed constitutional changes. The FGS's actions, he said would harm national unity and stability in Somalia.

But President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud seems to be going for his critics, accusing them of destabilising the country by sharing internal conflicts with foreign countries. He cautioned politicians from undermining the sovereignty of the country.

"No one will be allowed to bring forward a negative image of this country and share it with foreigners. Even if it's me, that would be a serious offence, and we must refrain from doing so," says Somalia's president in a stern warning to his critics.

GAROWE ONLINE