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Somalia's 1PV election timeline at risk as Jubaland’s Madobe resists
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    Saturday October 5, 2024


    FILE - Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe has voiced opposition to the federal government's 1PV electoral reform proposal, citing concerns over election timelines and term extensions.

    Mogadishu (HOL) — Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe has reportedly opposed Somalia's federal government's plan to implement a one-person, one-vote (1PV) system, citing concerns over missed election deadlines and the potential for term extensions. His resistance, discussed during the ongoing National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting in Mogadishu, threatens to derail the country's electoral reforms and cast doubt on whether the 1PV system can be implemented in time.

    Madobe's stance runs counter to agreements made during the NCC's May 27 meeting, where all parties—including Madobe—signed onto an electoral framework to replace Somalia's clan-based power-sharing system with a proportional representation model. The new system is intended to foster more inclusive governance by establishing three major political parties and creating a unified National Electoral Commission with 18 members, six of whom would be appointed by the federal government. The federal government's proposal calls for establishing a single, centralized electoral commission would effectively dissolve state-level electoral committees. The shift would significantly reduce the power of regional leaders.

    A source close to the discussions revealed that Madobe's opposition stems from his desire to maintain control over Jubaland's regional election committee.

    Madobe's primary concern is that the local government elections scheduled for June 30 and the November 30 state elections, which were originally set as a benchmark for the broader electoral reforms, are now unlikely to take place on time. He argues that pushing forward with the 1PV model under current conditions would inevitably lead to term extensions for state and federal government officials. 

    The federal government, led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has been championing the 1PV system as a critical step in strengthening Somalia's democratic institutions. The move away from the 4.5 clan-based system to proportional representation is seen as vital to fostering national unity and more inclusive governance. However, Madobe's opposition, combined with Puntland's boycott, raises questions about whether Somalia's first-ever 1PV elections will occur as scheduled.

    Madobe's opposition underscores growing concerns about whether Somalia can meet the proposed election timeline. Under the framework agreed upon in May, Somalia is expected to hold local elections by June 2024 and national elections by November 2024. However, with delays in key processes like state elections and the formation of the National Electoral Commission, the likelihood of holding timely elections appears increasingly slim.

    The NCC meeting, which is focused on critical governance issues, has already been strained by Puntland's decision to boycott the talks. The outcome of the negotiations will play an integral role in determining whether Somalia can advance its electoral reforms and solidify its democratic transition.

     





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