The events surrounding the election of new members of the Jubbaland Parliament has caused friction between the Presidents of Jubbaland and Somalia.
On the 12th of August, new members of the Jubbaland Parliament were announced and a Speaker was subsequently elected. However, tensions have begun Jubbaland’s President Madobe and Somalia’s President Farmaajo over the composition of the electoral council.
Electoral System
An electoral college, made up of a Council of Elders from local clans, select three candidates, each, for the 75 parliamentary seats. Their selection is then forwarded to the electoral agency, which picks one of the three nominees per seat.
Balance among the clans is key, as Aggrey Mutambo notes: “The selection follows the clan balancing formula – 4:5 – four main clans and a coalition of smaller ones.”
But President Farmaajo has reservations about the composition of the 60-member Elders Council.
“President Farmaajo’s issue with the Council is that the group includes people who have not been passed through proper selection and may hence favour the incumbent,” The East African reported.
Reports suggest that President Madobe can influence who sits in the Elders Council and, ultimately, pave the way for his re-election.
Following the election of the Members of Parliament, they will elect the president.
On the other hand, Madobe argues that the electoral process is in accordance with the law.
“The Provisional Federal Constitution says elections for legislative and executive bodies in federal states is to be managed by constitutions of the particular federal state. This is what we are doing,” his aide stated.
Implications
President Madobe accused the Federal Government of trying to manipulate the elections in the region. He announced there would be no further cooperation with the Federal Government until the issues are sorted out. This would stall talks of a constitutional review, of which universal suffrage is a key issue.
The members of parliament are scheduledto hold the presidential election on August 22nd.
