The Somali National Government and regional states are currently deliberating extending their terms, a move that faces significant opposition from the public and various political parties. In this critical stage, it is essential to prioritize dialogue and consensus-building. Fostering trust among all stakeholders and ensuring that the voices of the people are heard will be fundamental to achieving a peaceful resolution.
Somalia has emerged from a dangerous past, navigating a difficult journey toward establishing a nascent democracy amidst weak institutions. Every Somali citizen, along with their local and national leaders, bears a profound responsibility to prevent the country from slipping back into the chaos it has fought so hard to escape. After years of incremental progress toward a more stable and functional state, Somalia stands at a crossroads. It is vital to recognize the importance of unity and shared governance to safeguard the hard-won advancements and steer the nation toward a brighter, more democratic future.
Here are some recommendations for the Somali government and its member regional states:
- Engaging in Open Dialogue: Facilitating transparent discussions with all stakeholders, including civil society, to address the concerns of the people regarding term extensions.
- Focusing on Popular Mandate: Reinforcing the commitment to a popular vote, ensuring that it is not only scheduled but that all parties work collaboratively to prepare for it within a reasonable timeframe.
- Promoting National Unity: Emphasizing the importance of national sovereignty and unity, especially in light of regional alignments that could threaten these values.
- Creating a Timetable: Developing a clear, realistic timetable for the electoral process that accommodates the logistical and security challenges, ensuring that the people feel their voices will be heard.
- Strengthening Institutions: Focusing on building strong, independent institutions that can manage elections and facilitate governance, reducing reliance on any external influences.
- Public Awareness Campaigning: Launching campaigns to educate the public about the electoral process, its importance, and how they can engage meaningfully.
- State Regional Cooperation: While fostering cooperation among regional states, it is critical to ensure that national interests, unity, and sovereignty are not compromised. Collaborating with Ethiopia’s divisive agenda or allowing interference in Somalia’s internal affairs is not a viable option. Instead, Ethiopia should prioritize mutual respect for Somalia’s sovereignty and support a collaborative relationship that promotes stability and peace in the region.
- Monitoring and Adapting: Establishing mechanisms for monitoring the implementation of decisions and adapting as necessary based on public sentiment and evolving political dynamics.
However, if the Somali government is genuinely sincere about conducting a one-person, one-vote election, it must demonstrate readiness in terms of availability, capacity, timeframe, and overall preparedness for a fair, free, and open electoral process. Unfortunately, it has become common in the country’s political culture for leaders to create confusion by promising popular elections, only to later declare that the time remaining is insufficient to implement them. This often leads to the derailment of the electoral process, resulting in indirect elections that favor their interests and re-election.
The government needs to commit to transparency and accountability to rebuild trust and ensure that the voices of the people are genuinely heard rather than playing political gambles. Estimating the cost of conducting a popular vote in Somalia involves several factors, including logistical, security, and administrative expenses. Here’s a rough breakdown:
- Voter Registration: This involves setting up systems for registering voters, which may include public outreach and infrastructure costs. Estimated cost: $3 million – $6 million.
- Polling Stations: Establishing polling stations across all districts. Each station would require space, materials, and personnel. Estimated cost: $10 million – $15 million.
- Election Materials: Ballots, voting machines, and other materials would be necessary. Estimated cost: $5 million – $10 million.
- Personnel Training: Training staff and volunteers to manage the election process, including security forces. Estimated cost: $3 million – $6 million.
- Security Measures: Given the drastic security situation, a significant budget will be needed for securing polling places and ensuring the safety of voters. Estimated cost: $10 million – $15 million.
- Logistics and Transportation: Moving materials and personnel to remote areas can be costly. Estimated cost: $4 million – $8 million.
- Public Awareness Campaign: Informing the public about the voting process to ensure high turnout. Estimated cost: $3 million – $6 million.
- Post-Election Processes: Costs related to counting votes, reporting results, and handling any disputes. Estimated cost: $2 million – $4 million.
- The Total Estimated Cost: The total could range from approximately $40 million to $70 million depending on the specific circumstances and challenges faced during the election process. These figures are rough estimates and could exceed based on factors like security conditions, existing infrastructure, and the level of international assistance.
Dr. Said Mohamud (Sacim)
Chair of the Somali People’s Democratic Party
Saciidciise258@aol.com
