A former staunch ally of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) has announced his candidacy for the upcoming presidential elections.
Abdulkadir Sheikh Ali Baghdadi, who is a sitting Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Representatives, announced his candidature on January 7, 2021.
Baghdadi once served as a State Minister of Presidency under Farmaajo.
He joins a long list of former leaders in the FGS, including ex-presidents, who are intent on unseating President Farmaajo.
Others who have already declared their candidacy include ex-Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, and Abdirahman Abdishakur, the leader of the opposition Wadajir Party.
Two former presidents, Hassan Sheikh and Sharif Sheikh have also declared their candidacy.
While announcing his candidature, Baghdadi told journalists that the people of Somalia need a leader rather than a ruler.