Somalia MPs to vote for new President Monday

Written By:KBC reporters,    Posted: Sun, Sep 09, 2012

The new parliament members were selected last month by a group of traditional elders (file) Somalia's 25 presidential hopefuls were campaigning ahead of an election due Monday, the final stage of a UN-backed process to set up a new administration for the war-torn country. The election has been delayed several times - having already missed an August 20 deadline - but international pressure has increased on parliament to chose a president swiftly, setting the date for Monday. "We are only days away from an historic presidential election," UN special representative for Somalia Augustine Mahiga said earlier this week, praising efforts to "move forward to a new more legitimate and representative" system. Analysts have taken a far gloomier outlook on the process, suggesting it offers little but a reshuffling of key figures and positions. Somalia has lacked an effective central government since president Mohammad Siad Barre was ousted in 1991, unleashing cycles of bloody conflict that have defied countless peace initiatives. Ruthless warlords and militia groups including Al Qaida-linked Al Shabab insurgents have controlled mini-fiefdoms that African Union troops and other forces have only recently started to capture. Outgoing president Sharif Shaikh Ahmad, in power since 2009, is one of the favourites, though he cuts a controversial figure with Western observers. Former prime minister Abdiweli Mohammad Ali, a US-educated economist, is also another strong candidate for the post. "The future of Somalia depends on each and every legislator voting for whomever they believe can best lead their country," Mahiga added. "I encourage them to carry out this sacred trust free from any external influence." The new parliament, whose members were selected last month by a group of traditional elders, will vote in a secret ballot in up to three rounds. Each candidate had to pay $10,000 to enter the race. Meanwhile, the Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, Wafula Wamunyinyi is expressing satisfaction at the progress on the implementation of tasks for ending the transitional period. Wamunyinyi noted that the people of Somalia have demonstrated the highest level of commitment and determination to ending the transition period and elect a government of their choice saying such a trend should be sustained. The AU Deputy Special Representative however observed with regret that some disgruntled sections of the Somali society have ganged up to mar the political process at this last minute. He therefore reaffirmed his earlier warnings that AMISOM and other members of the international community will not tolerate anybody reversing the gains both on the political and security fronts that Somalia has achieved so far.