Jubbaland’s regional administration and Somalia’s former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo have denounced a newly approved law establishing the Independent National Electoral Commission, claiming it violates Somalia’s constitution and was passed without adequate consultation. Their criticisms mark the latest flashpoint in tensions between Somalia’s federal government and its regional states.
In a statement issued Saturday, Jubbaland’s Interior Ministry labeled the parliamentary vote as “illegal,” asserting that lawmakers from Jubbaland and Puntland were excluded from the decision-making process. The ministry accused the federal government of undermining constitutional governance and deepening political uncertainty.
“This step by the Parliament undermines dialogue, mutual respect, and constitutional governance. These illegal steps reflect a lack of readiness for compromise, further eroding trust,” the statement read.
Despite Jubbaland’s objections, some lawmakers from the region reportedly attended the session, though they are aligned with opposition to Jubbaland leader Ahmed Madobe.
Somalia’s bicameral Parliament approved the law during a joint session in Mogadishu, with 173 members unanimously voting in favor. The legislation is a significant milestone in Somalia’s pursuit of one-person, one-vote elections, a long-awaited goal for a nation that has relied on clan-based power-sharing for decades.
Proponents of the law argue it will pave the way for broader democratic participation and institutional reform. However, its passage has exposed deep rifts between the federal government and regional states, which demand a more inclusive approach to national reforms.
Former President Farmaajo joined Jubbaland in criticizing the legislation, accusing the current administration of sidelining regional states and consolidating power.
“The fusion of the executive and legislative branches has polarized the Somali people further,” Farmaajo said. He accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of prioritizing personal interests over national unity, warning that the move could escalate political divisions.
The federal government’s strained relationships with regional states like Jubbaland and Puntland are rooted in long-standing disputes over authority, resource sharing, and representation.
Tensions recently flared when Jubbaland’s leader, Ahmed Madobe, walked out of a National Consultative Council meeting in Mogadishu. Madobe demanded greater inclusion of Puntland and SSC-Khatumo in discussions on national issues, further underscoring the widening divide between the federal government and regional administrations.
The new law is designed to bring Somalia closer to conducting universal suffrage elections. However, the backlash highlights the difficulty of balancing federal and regional interests in a fragile political system.
Critics, including Jubbaland and Farmaajo, argue that failing to consult regional states risks undermining the legitimacy of electoral reforms. Without buy-in from all stakeholders, the prospects of achieving meaningful democratic progress could be jeopardized.
As Somalia edges closer to its electoral goals, the government faces the challenge of reconciling its ambitions with the demands of regional states. Analysts warn that unilateral decisions could exacerbate political instability and further alienate key regions.
Efforts to address these divisions will require renewed dialogue, compromise, and adherence to constitutional principles to ensure the reforms are accepted across Somalia’s complex federal system. Whether the federal government will heed these calls remains to be seen.
