A former President of Somalia has rejected the newly established Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The boycott by key opposition leaders – former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, and current legislator Abdirahman Abdishakur – against Somalia’s newly appointed national election commission is a significant development.
The opposition alleges that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s changes to the commission are unconstitutional and compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
In their joint statement issued on Wednesday, they warn that this move could lead to unfair elections and exacerbate instability in Somalia’s already fragile political environment.
This dispute highlights growing tensions between the government and opposition figures, which could impact the upcoming elections.
The opposition’s concerns about transparency and fairness in the electoral process underscore the importance of building consensus to avoid deepening political division.
This situation warrants close monitoring, as it may influence Somalia’s progress toward democratic consolidation and political stability.