Analysts have been gloomy on the process, suggesting it offers little but a reshuffling of key figures and positions from the outgoing Western-backed government.
Somalia has lacked an effective central government since president Mohamed Siad Barre was ousted in 1991, unleashing cycles of bloody conflict that have defied countless peace initiatives.
Ruthless warlords and militia groups including Al-Qaeda-linked Shabaab insurgents have controlled mini-fiefdoms that African Union troops and other forces have only recently started to capture.
Outgoing president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, in power since 2009, was one of the favourites, although he cuts a controversial figure with Western observers.
A UN report in July said that under his presidency, “systematic embezzlement, pure and simple misappropriation of funds and theft of public money have become government systems” — claims Sharif has rejected.
“I am absolutely honest and no money will be involved in my re-election,” Sharif told AFP in an interview Monday.
He also warned parliamentarians against the temptation to vote along clan lines.
“People should vote for me in good faith because they have followed my track record of development and my fight against the extremism of Al-Shebab and Al-Qaeda,” he said, promising to wipe out the Islamist groups in Somalia and “eliminate terror from the region” if re-elected.
Outgoing prime minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, a US-educated economist, had also been touted as another strong candidate.
Outgoing prime minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, a US-educated economist, had also been touted as another strong candidate.
The rival challengers have had bitter arguments, divided along Somalia’s notoriously fractious clan lines, and the UN Security Council has repeatedly warned of “intimidation and corruption”, threatening “action against individuals whose acts threaten the peace, stability or security of Somalia”.
However, Britain’s ambassador to Somalia, Matt Baugh, said last week that both the outgoing president and prime minister had assured him of “their commitment to respect (the) election outcome.”
About The Author
