Somalia has unique election process that is clan based

Somalia has a unique and interesting election process unlike any other in the world, security conditions are not yet in place for a one-person, one-vote ballot box due to the misunderstanding of the Federalization process that began in Somalia in 2016. Political parties in 1960’s elections took the people to the polls but starting 2012 the clan elders represented the people in electing members of the houses in parliament who then elect the President. The 2012 constitution stipulated that by 2020 the people would vote for office bearers a process not began before. late 2020 by the incumbent administration and it failed miserably and created a political impasse in 2021 that almost brought back civil war after failure of holding the elections on time and adding an extension to the president’s tenure in office that was later deemed unacceptable.

In 2016, a total of 14,025 members of the electorate chose the 275 members plus 54 members of the upper house of parliament using clan-based seating and selection arrangement. First time 135 traditional elders from different clans were responsible for selecting these electoral delegates from their communities.

The notable differences from the 2012 elections are stated below:

• In 2012 only 135 traditional elders elected the members of the parliament by clan enumerated process.
• • In 2016 over a hundred times more Somali citizens participated in the electoral process,
• • The members of two houses of parliament were selected through the electoral processes. An upper house was legislated and created.
• • In 2012 a parliament consisting of a single house was elected.
• • In 2021 it will be a repeat of the 2016 process if the September 17 2020 plan is accepted by all regions of the Federal republic a process that 2 regions are currently holding back.
• An AU mediator is going to facilitate and help the negotiation process also being a representative of the International Community.
• • The parliamentary voting in 2012 took place exclusively in Mogadishu. In 2016 voting took place in at least six cities nationwide.
• • In 2016 there was widespread election fraud that was fully supported by the leaders to elect members who would return the favor when selected to the position for the financial and administrative assistance given during the election.

The Federal Indirect Electoral Implementation Team in 2016 was responsible for the oversight, overall planning of the electoral process and for ensuring its uniformity across all states. Some of the greatest challenges it faced was ensuring the election’s transparency, dealing with clan and regional politics as well as financial and security challenges. The Election committee in 2016 was seen as fair office holders in high regard by their communities and had both name recognition and stature unlike the current commission made of bureaucrats and law enforcement officers with no name recognition.

In Somalia, a major dilemma for the electoral team is how to deal with the idea of “several governments within a government” or regional states acting as equals to the Federal government. All federal states operate independently of each other with their own unique challenges. The Somali “nomad” model of hierarchical leadership — with a clan elder as a leader — adds. to the dimension of clan and sub-clan power politics and unending grievances of not sharing the power equally a shortsightedness that a clan base can never be a strong replacement for a state.

The idea of involving the elders was to promote a sense of power sharing among the contesting clans; but this process intensifies nepotism and clan loyalty or patronage due to lack of registration of citizens and having strong political parties.

There are fears that traditional elders or federal presidents might influence the election outcomes using their power or authority. There’s also concern that the lack of accountability and transparency in the nomination of traditional elders promotes corruption. In fact, there were already reports. that some presidential candidates are bribing their way to get elected with the support of foreign rich countries who have their own agendas.

Another major. issue is that Somalia is financially dependent on grants and loans from the international community or donors.

In the Somali elections, international actors — such as the US ; International organizations and the European Union — have pledged to provide approximately 80% of the required electoral budget. But, even with support, the financial burden on the federal reserve is huge. Particularly considering the security the country will have to provide to the electoral team throughout the duration of the process.

The main security challenge is the upsurge of bombing by the Somali militant group, Al-Shabaab.

During the. upcoming election period, it is feared that bomb attacks and assassinations by Al-Shabaab will increase. This is because they will try to manipulate and threaten the traditional elders. They will also be taking advantage of the fact that the government will be focused mainly on the election and not defense.

Despite the complications and challenges of the electoral process in Somalia, it promises to be a game changer that bring innovation and strict guidance for the future elections,Internally, new people and their ideas will be at the helm of chosen appropriately. Externally, it might be a demonstration that the country is finally coming into normalcy after many years of instability and chaotic election processes. Wishing the best for the future of Somalia hope common sense ,reason and foresight will get us through this dramatic & challenging period.

Farah Amalo