The formation of the electoral commission comes amid ongoing political tensions.
The Cabinet of Ministers of the Federal Republic of Somalia has approved the Independent National Electoral and Boundaries Commission during an emergency meeting on Tuesday night.
Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre, who chaired the meeting, emphasized the government’s commitment to restoring the people’s right to choose their leaders. The newly approved 18-member commission will be responsible for overseeing all elections in the country.
The formation of the electoral commission comes amid ongoing political tensions. Puntland and Jubaland have previously expressed dissatisfaction, with both regional administrations walking out of National Consultative Council meetings over electoral disputes.
Notably, this is the third electoral commission to be appointed in the last 14 years, with the previous two being dissolved without completing their mandated work. The development raises questions about the sustainability and effectiveness of the new commission.
The commission comprises 18 members, including legal professionals, academics, and political representatives. Key appointees include Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, Saadiq Abshir Garaad, and Attorney Mohamed Abdirahman Adan, among others.
The approval of this commission represents a critical step in Somalia’s ongoing efforts to establish a more stable and representative electoral process. However, the success of the commission will ultimately depend on its ability to navigate the complex political landscape and maintain the confidence of various stakeholders.
The full list of commissioners includes:
- Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan
- Saadiq Abshir Garaad
- Attorney Mohamed Abdirahman Adan
- Yusuf Abdikadir Mohamed-Baafo
- Omar Abuukar Omar
- Farxiyo Mohamed Yusuf
- Dr. Omar Jamac Mohamed
- Faarax Abdi Hassan
- Sahro Diiriye Muse
- Abdullahi Salad Yarow
- Mohamed Amin Hassan Abdullahi
- Abdi Cadow Mohamed
- Abdishakur Abiib Hayir
- Khalid Ibrahim Ismail
- Aamina Sh. Osman Mohamed
- Nasir Mohamed Shire
- Abdiraxiim Abdillahi Shafi
- Mohamed Omar Isma’il
As Somalia continues its journey towards democratic consolidation, the eyes of both national and international observers will be closely watching the performance of this newly appointed Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
