Tuesday November 26, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali federal government has firmly rejected Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe's re-election as Jubbaland President for a third term, declaring the process unconstitutional and alleging violations of electoral agreements.
At the Council of Ministers meeting in Mogadishu on Monday night, government officials questioned the legitimacy of the parliamentary process that led to Madobe's re-election. Citing Article 70 of the Jubbaland Constitution, which limits presidents to two terms, the federal Cabinet stated that Madobe was ineligible to seek re-election.
The government further criticized the selection of Jubbaland's parliament members and leadership, labelling the process inconsistent with the Independent National Electoral Commission's rules and prior political agreements.
Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre accused Madobe of prioritizing personal ambitions over Somalia's unity, underscoring that the election in Kismayo violated a May 2023 National Consultative Council agreement in Mogadishu. The agreement, signed by federal and regional leaders including Jubbaland, mandated a transition to a "one person, one vote" electoral system.
The Somali Attorney General has been instructed to pursue legal action against Madobe for breaching electoral rules and political accords.
Madobe secured his third term on Monday, winning 55 votes from Jubbaland lawmakers, while his closest challenger, Faisal Mohamed Mataan, received 16 votes. The third candidate, Abubakar Abdi Hassan, garnered just four votes.
The dispute adds to the already strained relationship between the federal government and Jubbaland, as Somalia faces growing challenges in reconciling internal political divisions while combating security threats.