In the following paragraphs, we are examining recent Somali elections history to explain how Somalia has failed to hold free, fair and peaceful elections under President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo’s watch. The role the president played in this failure and how his political gullibility helped his rivals achieve their agendas is well documented.
First of all, holding a one person one vote elections in 2020/21 was one of major tasks president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo was expected to fulfill in his four years term. The country has held indirect elections in 2016 in which president Farmajo was elected. Political stakeholders at that time had agreed that next president would hold direct elections. Therefore, holding direct elections was a priority for Farmajo’s government. However, neither direct nor indirect elections have so far taken place.
President Farmajo is definitely a micro-manager who can only deal with few persons in running the country. He is believed to have developed a paranoia which has led to poor decision-making aimed at centralizing and consolidating powers. As a result, a severe power struggle has erupted between the president and his political rivals in the form of presidential contenders and some regional leaders.
Furthermore, the president has put elections processes aside and undertook an aimless conflict with regional leaders in which he replaced presidents of Galmudug and Hirshabelle states of Somalia. He also installed a president in Southwest state jailing a local popular contender. Although he tried to interfere with presidential elections in Puntland state, he miserably failed and his nominee for the post has consequently lost.
With three years of his tenure gone, due to a mounting pressure from Somalia’s political class and civil society, and international community, Mr. Farmajo was forced to release his electoral model. He came up with the One Person One Vote model of universal suffrage. This kind of elections was not well received by main political actors who found the direct voting system impractical for security, timing and resources reasons.
In addition, after several electoral consultative meetings aimed at resolving electoral impasse with regional leaders, Mr. Farmajo opted for unreasonable two years term extension. The extension led to an unprecedented military and civilian tension in the capital city, Mogadishu. Upon realizing the magnitude of the deteriorating situation in the country, Mr. Farmajo was again forced to cancel the unilateral term extension. And under the astonished look of the international community on his missteps, he could only answer: “don’t blame me“, it is not my fault.
Besides, President Farmajo’s hands were tied behind his back as a consequence of the terrible defeat he inherited from his poor decisions. Now, new elections arrangements are being implemented with Mr. Farmajo having no say. Another proof of his poor leadership.
Finally, Somalia’s electoral process was hijacked by the winners of the prolonged conflict over disputed polls namely Ahmed Madobe and Saeed Deni of Jubaland and Puntland states respectively. The two have signed a deal with other regional leaders plus Prime Minister Roble. The deal will produce in what is essentially nominating members of parliament. It is highly anticipated that there will rarely be no meaningful competition for elected seats in Somalia.
To sum up, President Farmajo’s political failure has led to unprecedented level of sham elections where an ever smaller interest group is handling the country’s future political fate. His inability to slow down his free fall pushes his most loyal allied to desert his camp. Now, no one knows how things will turn out for him, and for the nation, in the coming days.
