Liban Shuluq Rebukes Opposition as Galmudug Election Race Intensifies

Galkacyo (WDN) — Galmudug presidential candidate Liban Ahmed Hassan, widely known as Liban Shuluq, has delivered a pointed rebuke to opposition forces challenging the Federal Government’s election strategy, urging them to abandon confrontation and accept what he described as the proper political path to power.

Liban Shuqul , is a businessman associated with the Qat trade and is reported to have business ties to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Liban Shuluq is already being presented by Villa Somalia as the next and the only president of Galmudug, long before a credible and competitive electoral process has taken place. His candidacy leaves no room for genuine competition, reinforcing the believe that the outcome has effectively been decided in advance.

This comes as no surprise to anyone who has closely followed Somali politics and Villa Somalia’s political conduct: while publicly engaging in rhetoric about a fair one-person, one-vote system, President Hassan Sheikh is anointing and positioning his candidates before elections are even held.

Speaking in Galkayo at a farewell ceremony for outgoing Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kariye Qoor-Qoor, Liban Shuluq praised the president for what he described as a record of service and for putting the interests of his people ahead of personal political ambitions.