GAROWE (KAAB TV) – The Puntland State has officially embraced the path of democracy, even as the rest of Somalia faces increasing threats from terrorist groups and deteriorating security conditions.
The Puntland Electoral Commission announced last week that elections will be held on July 23 in the three districts of Garowe, Dangoroyo, and Godob Jiran.
These districts missed last year’s elections due to violence that resulted in deaths, disrupting local council elections and forcing authorities to abandon direct voting.
With the addition of these three districts, a total of 33 districts in Puntland will have local councils and local governments elected through direct polls.
Youth involvement is prominent in the campaigns of the eight parties contesting the elections in these three districts, with many candidates being young people and more than 60% of registered voters being youths.
The plan for direct elections in Puntland was progressing rapidly last year, but was halted when the Federal Government, led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, openly opposed the elections.
Opposition groups in Puntland also led armed men to prevent the elections in these districts.
The violence in Garowe and its suburbs resulted in the deaths of more than five people.
This led to the election of members of the current Puntland Parliament by tribal elders.
The course for development, democracy
The 66-member Puntland Parliament elected President Said Abdullahi Deni on January 8.
Recently, the Minister of State Planning of Puntland, Abdifitah Mohamed Abdinur, announced that Puntland is committed to democratic development, stating, “Puntland has set the course for development, democracy, and economic progress. We will unite all our resources and expertise to ensure our government works effectively for the benefit of the people of Puntland.”
Puntland Interior Minister Abdi Farah Juha added that eight political parties are participating in the election of local councils and governments, and after these elections, the next elections for the Puntland Parliament and Presidency will also be by popular vote.
Somalia’s last popular vote
Somalia last held elections by popular vote on March 26, 1969. Six months later, the country’s president, Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, was assassinated, leading to a military coup on October 21 of that year.
Although the Federal Government in Mogadishu has repeatedly promised to hold popular elections, this has not been realized, primarily due to lack of control outside the capital and the presence of Al-Shabaab in many southern and central regions.
Somalia has also not conducted a public referendum or census to determine the number of voters due to security issues.
Currently, there is significant concern in southern and central Somalia due to the resurgent of Al-Shabaab and the partial withdrawal of the African Union’s ATMIS forces. Clan conflicts continue in Mudug, Galgaduud, Lower Shabelle, Middle Shabelle, and Gedo regions.
If fully implemented, the elections in Puntland will make it the only region in Somalia’s federal system to hold democratic elections. Somaliland, which has held peaceful elections for the past 20 years, claims independence from Somalia.
The Puntland elections represent a victory and a beacon of hope in a country plagued by insecurity and instability.