Somalia sets May presidential election despite insecurity

Somalia's president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's second term ended earlier this year but his government declared a 'transition period' in May. (AFP pic)MOGADISHU: Somalia announced on Thursday that parliamentary and presidential elections would be held next year in the deeply fragmented country that faces a long-running Islamist insurgency.President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's second term ended earlier this year but his government declared a "transition period" in May, despite an agreement with the opposition on holding elections.Mohamud has been attempting to move Somalia towards democratic elections, replacing a system based around clan elders, although his attempts have been opposed by regional leaders, who view it as a power grab.The Election Commission said in a statement that parliamentary polls would be held on April 15, followed by a presidential vote scheduled for May 15.In the capital Mogadishu, residents expressed mixed views."Announcing an election schedule through a process driven by one side, and rejected by the opposition, is effectively declaring a new conflict," said one, Omar Said.Mohamud assumed power in 2022 but has argued he was given an extra year in the presidency when an amended constitution was passed by parliament earlier this year that set the framework for elections and extended the vote.But opposition parties boycotted that vote and have rejected the changes, including the powerful states of Jubaland and Puntland."There's no political agreement to hold those elections," analyst Samira Gaid told AFP.She said that the government was essentially made up of Mogadishu and "two or three allied member states", and expressed concern it would lead to more "conflict and more confrontation within the remaining federal member states"."All the processes that the government is starting are leading to further fragmentation," she said.University student Fadumo Ali worried that a disputed federal election "could undermine governance and national unity".She urged the president to sit down with the opposition, "and agree on the federal election to prevent further turmoil".Former president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo said on X the unilateral election decision was a "dangerous threat to Somalia's statehood and future" and urged an agreement with all factions.Another former president and opposition leading light, 2009-2012 leader Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, sa…