Thursday October 31, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) — Prominent Somali politicians, including former Presidents Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, have opposed the decisions made during the recently concluded National Consultative Council meeting.
In a joint statement, former President Sheikh Sharif, ex-Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheyre, and MP Abdirahman Abdishakur accused current President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of violating Somalia's constitution, warning that the NCC's decisions could destabilize the country's security and political landscape. The leaders declared their refusal to accept any form of term extension for the federal government.
The joint statement also praised Jubbaland's President Ahmed Madobe for rejecting the extension proposal and emphasized his administration's intention to proceed with elections independently. Leaders from Galmudug, Hirshabelle, and Southwest states were cautioned against endorsing any term extensions.
"We urge the Federal Parliament to avoid passing laws that contradict the constitution, jeopardize national unity, or serve individual political ambitions," the statement read, referencing previous experiences with term extensions that have fueled political unrest.
Former President Farmaajo, in a separate statement, condemned the NCC's decisions and called on federal leaders to adhere to the constitution.
The NCC's agreement, endorsed on Wednesday by President Mohamud, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, and regional leaders, set dates for local, regional, and municipal elections in June 2025, with parliamentary and presidential elections scheduled for September 2025. The council also directed establishing the National Independent Electoral Commission to manage the electoral process.
Despite recent reforms, including a bill passed in March reintroducing universal suffrage, prominent political figures remain critical. Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni and Jubbaland's Madobe have publicly opposed the NCC's decisions.