Somalia's HirShabelle state leaders in deadlock over election for MP seats

BELEDWEYNE, Somalia - Hirshabelle state President Gudlawe Hussein and his deputy Yusuf Debageed are yet again involved in a fresh tussle over elections in the central state just hours before the March 15th deadline for Lower House elections in Somalia.

The two leaders have sharply differed on the mode to be used in conducting elections for the remaining seats in the state. Hirshabelle is one of the states yet to conclude elections despite strict timelines as agreed by stakeholders.

For over one year, the Horn of Africa country succeeded to fill 222 seats of the 275 as the country rushes to conclude polls which have been delayed for one a year. MPs and senators are set to elect the president of the country.

Multiple sources intimate that the two leaders are tussling over the election of the HoP135 Lower House seat which is currently held by Amino Mohamed, a female MP who is among the fierce critics of Farmaajo, the outgoing Somali president.

Due to the current standoff, elections which were slated for Monday [today] in Beletwyene town have since been postponed. Hiraan Governor Ali Jeyte said the Beledweyne election was suspended, citing security concerns within the town.

Both Gudlawe Hussein and Yusuf Debageed were close allies of outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo but the relationship between themselves has significantly nose-dived. Gudlawe has been pushing for a free and fair election while Debageed is routing for the status quo.

On Tuesday, the gridlock will officially erupt with the International Monetary Fund [IMF] now saying it will suspend operations in Somalia. The government has been partly blamed for delays in elections which Farmaajo is keen to be reelected thus his interference with Lower House elections.

GAROWE ONLINE