Somalia: NISA chief takes control of Hirshabelle's election file

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia's spy agency NISA has reportedly taken full control of the Hirshabelle election file, it has been established, in a move which could be geared towards manipulating the much-anticipated elections in Somalia, which are due to kick off next month following a pre-election deal.

Last month, leaders are drawn from Hirshabelle, Galmadug, Southwest, Puntland, Jubaland, and the Banadir region signed the deal after intensive negotiations with President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, who had been accused of plotting to extend his term contrary to constitutional provisions.

The deal will see the country start by holding senatorial elections which will be determined by the current regional assemblies. After that, the country will hold parliamentary elections in specified regions in which 101 electors will take part, the team had announced in a detailed agreement.

But it's the MP race that would draw keen interest from Villa Somalia given that the president will need support from incoming MPs for him to retain. The presidential elections will be held in February according to the electoral calendar which was released last month.

And in Hirshabelle, a state which Farmajo has a keen interest, the spy chief Fahad Yasin, a close ally of the president, is said to have already taken into his custody the electoral files, a move which could eventually lead to massive interference of the electoral exercise.

Reports indicate that Fahad Yasin, a former Al-Jazeera journalist, had dispatched one of his secretaries to Johwar, the regional administrative capital of Hirshabelle, who is said to have asked for the documents according to local officials. In previous local elections, Villa Somalia was also accused of manipulating the outcome in favor of Mohamed Abdi Waare.

Hir Shabelle's traditional elders who arrived in Jowhar a few days ago will not play a full role in the selection of the state parliamentarians, officials added, in yet a move that could spark a rivalry between the Federal Government of Somalia and member states, who have often accused Villa Somalia of interference.

Farmajo is facing stiff competition from former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, former Presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who might field one candidate under the Forum for National Parties along with the Wadajir party leader Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsane.

GAROWE ONLINE