KISMAYO, Somalia — The Indirect Poll Commission of the Jubaland regional state in Somalia has announced a detailed schedule leading up to the presidential election, set for November 25, 2024.
The timeline specifies that from November 12 to November 21, 2024, the region will engage in a series of preparatory activities. These include a public awareness campaign to educate residents about the electoral process, the selection of regional MPs, and the election of the leadership for the Jubaland state parliament.
This schedule has been released amidst ongoing political tension between the regional Jubaland authorities and the federal government of Somalia, with the latter expressing concerns over the autonomy of such elections.
The federal government has been advocating for a unified electoral model across Somalia, aiming to centralize the process, but this has met with resistance from regions like Jubaland.
The upcoming election is significant as it could either reinforce the current leadership or herald a change in this semi-autonomous region, which has been under the leadership of President Ahmed Madobe for an extended period.
The organization of these elections has been a point of contention, with some fearing that it might lead to further political fragmentation or conflict, especially if the process is perceived as lacking transparency or inclusivity.
Meanwhile, others view it as a step towards greater regional governance and democratic practice within Somalia’s federal structure.
