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Jubaland lawmakers condemn federal election reforms, warn of threat to Somalia’s unity
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    Monday November 11, 2024


    Somali federal parliamentarians representing Jubaland gather in Kismayo for a consultation meeting, joined by regional leaders and officials. 

    Kismayo (HOL) — Somali federal parliamentarians representing Jubaland delivered a sharp rebuke of the federal government on Saturday, accusing it of actions that deepen political rifts and threaten Somalia's unity. Gathering in Kismayo for consultations, these lawmakers warned that recent federal decisions exacerbate divisions and stall dialogue aimed at bridging differences between Jubaland and Mogadishu.

    In a strongly worded press release, the lawmakers condemned what they described as heavy-handed tactics by the federal government, accusing it of ignoring Jubaland's autonomy and sidelining the regional administration in a bid to centralize power. They argue that these moves disregard Somalia's delicate federal structure, which was intended to balance regional and national powers. "While we are committed to finding a solution to the dispute," the statement reads, "the federal government's actions risk widening existing conflicts."

    At the core of the dispute is a push by the federal government to shift from Somalia's clan-based, indirect voting system to a one-person, one-vote model — a reform that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud calls essential for democratic progress. While the plan has drawn praise from some quarters as a step toward modernization, it has triggered fierce opposition from Jubaland and other regions that view it as a threat to their autonomy.

    The condemnation from Jubaland lawmakers comes as Somalia's parliament, in a rare show of unity, unanimously passed a series of electoral laws intended to standardize and oversee the country's upcoming elections. Responding to an urgent call from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, lawmakers extended their session by a month to expedite the passage of these reforms. 

    The electoral overhaul has, however, deepened tensions with Jubaland. For Jubaland's President Ahmed Madobe, the federal government's push for electoral reform is not a step forward but a veiled attempt to bring the southern state under Mogadishu's control. In defiance, Madobe's administration recently established its own State Independent Committee for Borders and Elections, a seven-member body tasked with overseeing Jubaland's electoral processes independently. Somalia's Ministry of Interior swiftly condemned the committee's formation, which labelled it "illegitimate" and warned that unilateral actions could destabilize the state and erode Somalia's federal structure.

    In Kismayo, a brief ceremony marked the official swearing-in of members of the newly established Jubaland Independent Board of Borders and Elections. Abdishakur Sheikh Mohamed, Chairman of Jubaland’s Supreme Court, administered the oath on Monday, with the event drawing notable figures, including Abdi Mohamed Abdirahman, Speaker of the regional parliament, and other federal legislators. 

    The lawmakers' statement portrays the federal response as part of a larger strategy to strip regions of their autonomy, an accusation they say is underscored by Mogadishu's recent moves on election laws and governance. "The steps taken by the federal government threaten to deepen existing divisions and pose a severe risk to the unity of Somalia," the statement declared, criticizing the central government for its dismissive stance toward Jubaland's concerns.

    Beyond the political fallout, security implications loom large. Jubaland officials have accused the federal government of withdrawing troops from key positions in the volatile Lower Juba region, including the strategically critical port city of Kismayo. With local forces now left to defend against Al-Shabaab insurgents, Jubaland leaders warn that the federal government's actions could jeopardize the region's stability. 

    Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, seeking to defuse the standoff, has called an emergency cabinet meeting and announced plans to visit Kismayo to mediate talks. But Jubaland lawmakers remain skeptical, pointing to what they describe as a pattern of federal actions that show "little respect for the concerns of regional authorities." In their view, Mogadishu's efforts have done more to alienate Jubaland than to foster cooperation.

     





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