Somalia Leaders Deadlocked Over Term Extension in Crucial Electoral Reform Talks

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A closed-door meeting between the President and PM of Somalia with the Jubaland leader Ahmed Madobe ended in a stalemate on Friday, Garowe Online can authoritatively reports. This deals a significant blow to the Federal Government whose electoral reforms approach is facing resistance.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is pushing for a constitutional overhaul, rallying for change to the electoral model, a move that has caused rifts in the country. Hassan Sheikh prefers a universal suffrage model after decades of the clan-based electoral system known as 4.5.

For days, the leadership in Somalia has been meeting at the presidential palace in Mogadishu to unlock some of the pending issues, ranging from insecurity to development and relationships between the federal government and member states, which are on the neck of Mogadishu authorities.

According to credible reports from the National Consultative Council meeting, both Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and President Hassan Sheikh failed to convince Jubaland leader Ahmed Madobe of the extension of terms, a move which potentially exposes the leadership of Sheikh Mohamud.

"The meeting aimed to persuade Madobe to support an illegal term extension for regional leaders at the National Consultative Council (NCC). His refusal could derail Villa Somalia’s plans for an extension," sources within the government said.

The NCC's 4th-day talks in Mogadishu without Puntland attendance were delayed today due to a deadlock between Madobe and Villa Somalila's leadership. Madobe seeks to bring Puntland and SSC-Khaatumo into the table and independent FMS elections as FGS favors 1P1V with term extensions for all FMS-FGS leaders, sources say.

Hassan Sheikh is reportedly plotting to support term extensions for regional leaders, subsequently, extending his term in office for the next couple of years. Paradoxically, during his time in opposition, he vehemently opposed term extensions.

The extension, sources say, would allow Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to successfully change the constitution and prepare for one-man-one-vote elections in the country. There is no unanimous agreement on this controversial amendment.

Federal States such as Puntland have questioned Hassaj Sheikh's moves, arguing that sufficient consultations are yet to be done. The government of Somalia has been criticised of dictatorial tendencies, with the opposition accusing the president of supporting what he opposed during his time in the political periphery.

GAROWE ONLINE