Wednesday December 4, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) — Former Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheyre, and MP Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame have denounced the newly formed Independent National Electoral and Boundaries Commission, accusing it of being tailored to serve President Mohamud's political agenda.
In a joint statement issued Wednesday, the opposition leaders criticized the administration for unilaterally changing the electoral framework and sidelining political consensus.
"President Hassan took power with a constitution, electoral law, political parties, and an electoral commission built on consensus. He has since changed the constitution, crafted electoral and party laws, and appointed commissions to fit his personal agenda," the statement read.
The leaders further claimed the commission was formed under an illegally amended constitution and expressed their firm rejection of its legitimacy.
"We inform the Somali people, political stakeholders, and international partners that we have boycotted the committee, its laws, and the associated party framework," they said.
The newly established commission is tasked with transitioning Somalia from a clan-based political system to a one-person, one-vote electoral model. Local council elections are slated for June 2025, with federal parliamentary and presidential elections planned for later that year.