The political tension between Somalia’s federal government and Jubbaland State has intensified amid allegations of term extensions and the push for a one-person, one-vote electoral system.
This proposal marks a significant shift from the current clan-based indirect election model, sparking controversy and opposition from regional states wary of central government overreach.
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has called an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss the growing political crisis.
Advocates for the proposed electoral reform argue it would bolster democracy, but critics view it as a federal power grab that might diminish regional autonomy.
There is growing pressure from various political actors for urgent dialogue to prevent further escalation and foster cooperative solutions that respect both federal and regional interests.
Jubbaland President Ahmed Islam Madobe leads calls for indirect elections, which contradict the proposal by the federal government, under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, for direct polls where voters elect their preferred candidates.
