Somalia had been calm and focused on Al-Shabaab militants until December 18 when an old problem re-emerged: When does a term of federal state president actually start and end? A common problem in all of Somalia’s federal states, this time it befell on South West state, one of the regions where al Shabaab is most endemic to in Somalia with blockaded roads and infiltrated sectors..
And State President Abdiaziz Hassan Laftagareen is fighting claims his term had expired, four years after he was elected. Mr Laftagareen’s presidential victory back in 2018 had raised a storm, His opponent, former Shabaab leader Mukhtar Rubow was controversially put under house arrest over claims he hadn’t reformed well enough, allowing Laftagareen easy wins. Rubow is now Somalia’s Minister for Religion.
This week though, Laftagareen was facing mounting opposition to his gambit after an informal militia known as the Salvation Army of South West started showed up at public events wearing military fatigues, claiming they will take over as interim authority and force elections to be conducted.
The source of the problem; elections of the state presidency must align with those of the state parliament. The latter’s polls are not due until March 2024. The term for each is four years as per the state constitution.
Rapid escalation
Laftagareen’s move to cling to power beyond his term limit threatens the peace and the state’s fragile system. We are very concerned about the rapidly escalating political turmoil and deteriorating security in Baidoa and other parts of the state,” said a local caucus of politicians known as the Council of Presidential Candidates of South West.
Not unique
South West’s problem is not unique though. Puntland, Jubbaland and Galmudug have all had wrangles on presidential term limits. Somalia’s other federal state is Hirshabelle.
In most cases, a gentleman’s agreement solved the impasse. South West had in April 2020 extended the term of Laftagareen through a parliamentary motion, ostensibly to align their terms so the next polls are held at the same time. However, opposition groups now say the decision had no legal backing.
Constitutional disharmony
“It would have been good to propose and sanction such changes after elections and implemented in the subsequent terms. But it seems current office holders want to cut the coat according to their size. It is prudent to respect to constitutional term limits and allow peaceful transfer of power. Any changes must be done through a collective decision among all stakeholders.”
