Galmudug’s “Election” Is About to Begin—Too Bad the Winner Has Already Been Chosen

Mogadishu (WDN) – Somalia’s National Electoral Commission has proudly unveiled the timetable for the Galmudug presidential election, scheduled for the 20th of this month. The announcement promises another round of campaigns, political meetings, candidate registrations, and the usual fanfare associated with democratic competition.

Liban Ahmed (Shuluq)

There is only one small problem. The competition is little more than political choreography, because the winner is already known.

If the script sounds familiar, it is because Somalis have seen it before in Baidoa. The sequence rarely changes. An election date is announced. Candidates are encouraged to campaign. Officials speak of transparency and democracy. The media dutifully covers the spectacle. Then, on cue, the candidate favored by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud emerges victorious.