Somalia's presidential election edges closer as parliament picks leadership

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Despite recurring security challenges, Somalia's presidential election has edged closer, following Tuesday's smooth elections of Senate leadership, which saw key figures elected to lead the Upper House for the next couple of years.

There were doubts that parliamentary leadership would face obstacles due to competing interests but senators set aside their partisanship and settled on leaders who will be in charge of the house, beating a key deadline in the elections of Somalia.

On Wednesday, eyes will be on the Lower House where outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has been having interests, including but not limited to "sabotaging" elections in certain constituencies to his favour.

Veteran lawmaker Abdi Hashi Abdullahi was re-elected as Speaker of the Upper House of Somalia Parliament with 28 votes. Hashi has been a key critic of Farmajo, leading to a standoff between the federal government and some member states.

His closest rival, Salah Jama, the current Constitutional minister, managed to score 24 votes while the divisive Information Minister Osman Dubbe, a close ally of Farmaajo, scored just two votes. For a long time, Farmaajo has never been a darling of the 54-member Senate.

In subsequent elections, senators elected Ali Sha'ban, a senator elected from HirShabelle state, as the 1st deputy speaker of the Senate, beating Abdihakim Moalim from Galmudug state. In the results, 28 senators voted for him while the loser scored 25 of possible 53 votes.

Yet again, senators also elected Senator Abdullahi Ali Hirsi "Tima'adde" as the 2nd deputy Senate speaker, beating Senator Fartag in the 2nd round.

All eyes now shift to Lower House leadership elections on Wednesday, which has been marred with controversy, as police boss Major General Hijar was accused of meddling in the affairs of legislators.

Farmajo was among the first people to congratulate winners, even though none of his preferred candidates managed to get a post in the tough elections held in the heavily fortified Halane Base Camp.

"I congratulate the re-elected Speaker of the Upper House H.E Sen. Abdi Hashi and his First Deputy Sen. Ali Sha'ban as well as his Second Deputy TimaAdde. I urge the Senate leadership to discharge their mandated duties with professionalism and integrity in line with the constitution," he noted.

"Congratulations to Sen. Abdi Hashi Abdullahi on his re-election as Speaker of the Upper House. May Allah help him discharge his duties with success. The election of the Speaker today is a major step in the right direction in wrapping up the overdue electoral process, " added Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the 7th president.

Both the Lower House and the Senate are expected to vote for the president, and already, candidates are trying to muscle numbers. Farmajo will face former Presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud along with former PM Hassan Ali Khaire among others.

GAROWE ONLINE