MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s federal and regional leaders agreed on Saturday to abolish premiership and transform to a presidential system, triggering fears over possible slide back to the Horn of Africa country’s authoritarian past.
In a communiqué, the leaders said first direct elections will be held next year and a national election and border committee will formed to manage all regional and federal votes.
The deal was signed by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, his Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and the leaders of four regional states.
Among the contentious issues in the agreement are the abolishment of premiership and return to presidential system, sparking fears over renewed dispute between the country’s political stakeholders.
“Is NCC turning into the Policy Bureau of past military regime or it has developed nostalgia for the time when the 1969 constitution was dissolved, parliamentary system/multiparty system suspended & one party system reconstituted,” former Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid said.
“This may only add toxic into our political environ,” he added.
“The agreement by Somalia’s elite forum the NCC to hold direct nationwide elections in 2024 is unfeasible. ‘Magical thinking’ framed as policy,” Horn of Africa political and security analyst Rashid Abdi tweeted.
“A presidential system returns Somalia to authoritarian past. Current semi-parliamentary system maybe dysfunctional but has its merits.”
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