The Middle Road To End The Somali Political Crisis

The International Community offered to act as a mediator. If the signing of the electoral agreement is all that remains to be done, the International Community could play the role of an observer.

The Federal Government of Somalia Somalia should have accepted an observer role for the International Community; it is a middle way between the guarantor role demanded by Puntland and Jubaland, and the bystander role asked for by the Somali government.

The political crisis has raised the bar in Somali politics.

For the first time since 1991 the political classes are promoting different governance models — the strong state model exemplified by the incumbent government, and the weaker state governance promoted by the alliance of the Somali opposition candidates under the Council for National Salvation.

Each model has merit but neither solves the political inequalities embedded in the Somali electoral system.

Currently, only three social groups are more influential under the 4.5 power-sharing system on account of running a Federal Member State.

This is the anomaly that the incumbent government exploits, causing accusations that it is encroaching upon the rights of ardent federalists such as Puntland and Jubaland.

In 2012, Somalia ended the transition without clear rules in place to regulate powers of the Federal Government and Federal Member States. This problem will persist even after elections.

There is now no guarantee that a new government will not pursue centralist policies attempted by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, but successfully applied, albeit in a limited scope, by President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed.

Somali political leaders must grasp the opportunity to agree the election schedule based on the 17 September Agreement in the national interest of Somalia.

This article first appeared in the © Puntland Post, 2021 and is republished with permission