US hails Galmudug leader for engineering dialogue in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The US has hailed Galmadug President Ahmed Abdi Kariye alias Qoorqoor for initiating pre-election dialogue in Somalia, something which effectively puts the Horn of Africa nation on the right path to recovery, following simmering political tensions in the country.

For several months now, political elites have been going ballistic against one another, over the model of elections to be used in the coming elections, among other issues related to the electoral system. It's this model that politicians have sharply differed, leading to a series of reconciliation meetings.

Traditionally, Somalia had preferred the 4.5 model which is normally called a clan-based system, but it has caused divisions since only elders are allowed to participate. The model is also seen as an avenue to Al-Shabaab infiltration into the government, which could further ignite chaos into the country.

But Qoorqoor stepped in and organized various meetings in Dhusamareb, which brought together key stakeholders in Somalia. So far, three meetings have been held in the capital of Galmadug, and the last meeting saw President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo signing a pre-election pact with three other leaders.

Even though two other leaders had missed, the US has now hailed Qoorqoor for the meetings, which have set the pace for the much-needed unity in Somalia. Washington expressed confidence that the country will eventually get an opportunity to settle past gory political image.

"The US embassy is encouraged that FMS presidents are in Mogadishu to conclude talks and begin implementing consensus way forward on elections. Gratitude to Qoorqoor for all his hard work and people of Galmudug for their historic role in elections process" read the message.

Qoorqoor, a former government bureaucrat, became the president of Galmadug state in February this year in an election that was marred with controversy. However, he has since managed to reconcile with his opponents, further reducing internal friction in the country.

Initially, critics accused him of being sponsored by Villa Somalia, a claim he persistently dismissed. In February, deadly clashes between SNA and ASWJ militia erupted in Dhusamareb, leaving close to 30 people dead after Qoorqoor was declared the winner.

Somalia is set to go for an election this November after the expiry of the term for the current administration. But critics have been accusing the current administration of plot to extend the term, a claim which Farmajo has regularly dismissed as "far-fetched".

The international community is keen to have the government paving way for credible polls. Already, the Dhusamareb III conference settled on an improved clan-based model, which will see around 301 electors per constituency participating in the crucial elections.

GAROWE ONLINE