The recent statement by Abdi Farah Juha, the Minister of Interior of Puntland, was seen by many as a statesmanlike gesture. He congratulated the winners and those who worked tirelessly to make the election possible, emphasizing that mistakes from the first phase would be rectified in the second phase of Puntland’s democratization. However, this raises a critical question: were the mistakes made during the last election intentional or accidental?
Mistakes made unintentionally can be corrected, but those made for personal gain are harder to rectify. This distinction is crucial for Puntlanders to understand the integrity of the electoral process. If the focus during the election was truly on reflecting the people’s will, then mistakes would be promptly addressed. However, my personal experience suggests otherwise.
During my tenure as chairperson of the Labor Party, President Said Abdullahi Deni and the former speaker of parliament usurped my position overnight by appointing one of my cousins, a Kaah party member, as the new chairperson. When I shared this with Juha, he expressed regret but claimed he could do nothing against the president’s involvement. This incident exemplifies intentional manipulation that Juha and President Deni are unwilling to correct.
Timing and scheduling also played a significant role in the election’s irregularities. Last year’s election on May 25, 2023, faced numerous unresolved issues, including resistance from the Nugal region. The urgency to hold an election before the parliament’s June session led to a hasty and flawed process. Juha and President Deni feared losing face if traditional elders managed the election instead of the Puntland Election Commission, reflecting their personal stakes rather than a genuine democratization effort.
With President Deni’s re-election, many expected corrective measures for past mistakes. Expectations included completing the Puntland Election Commission, addressing the representation of unrepresented parties, and resolving the Nugal region’s participation issues. Instead, President Deni spent considerable time abroad, particularly in the UAE, and pushed to complete the remaining district elections before August 1 without addressing these concerns. This rush undermined the credibility of Juha’s commitment to learning from past mistakes.
Puntlanders are beginning to see through the facade of democratization touted by President Deni and Juha. The recent election mirrors previous ones, driven by deadlines rather than democratic principles. The populace’s growing awareness could lead to protests demanding genuine elections where candidates campaign transparently and the electorate votes freely, rather than having choices imposed by party leaders.
True democratization in Puntland remains a distant goal, but the people’s desire for fair representation and accountability will eventually prevail over manipulated electoral processes.
By: Abdirashid Sheikh Mohamud, Chairperson of Labor Party Chairperson