Somalia decides on election model, mixing regions with 4.5 quota

MOGADISHU, Somalia, December 17, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Somali political leaders concluded a three-day consultative forum on model for 2016 electoral transition, agreeing to mixture of controversial traditional 4.5 power sharing formula and constituency-based option, Garowe Online reports.

Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari, Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, leaders of Puntland, Southwest State, Jubaland, Galmudug and representatives from yet-to-be-formed interim administrations as well as the country’s vital international partners have gathered for the packed consultative forum, the second conference to be staged in jockey for consensus on which election model, Somalia should hold when the mandate of the current government ends by 2016.

Despite challenging political hurdles in the course of the deliberations, a statement issued late on Wednesday pointed to the need for enhanced selection process.

Analysts say, the move might have been aimed at appeasing international community members whose financial aid could not be weaned off.

Somali leaders agreed on the formation of upper and lower houses with members whose structure and size will be selected on the basis of 4.5 representation formula and regions.

With larger pace signaled for youth and minorities, women are also set to be represented well in national assembly.

“First it must include an element of choice. No more nominations of MPs. There must be an opportunity for some people to vote for a choice of candidates; secondly it brings the process closer to the people,” outgoing United Nations envoy, Ambassador Nicholas Kay told Somali leaders on the outset of Mogadishu Consultative Conference.

The joint press statement seems to be dashing hopes for term extension for the current leadership.

GAROWE ONLINE