Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Ahmed Macallin Fiqi, has criticized politicians who oppose a one-person, one-vote election, arguing that it is necessary to move beyond the indirect electoral system that brought the current government to power.
Minister Fiqi expressed surprise at party conventions where leaders openly reject public elections. He urged members of such parties to either join political groups that support democratic elections or establish their own independent parties.
“You see an event called a party congress, attended by party leaders and members, yet the leader tells attendees they do not want a one-person, one-vote election. It is truly surprising,” Fiqi said.
He further encouraged citizens in anti-election parties to seek alternatives:
“Members of these parties should join or take leadership roles in parties that support elections, or they should establish their own parties without relying on anyone else.”
Minister Fiqi stressed the need to distinguish between political parties and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), stating:
“A political party name and NGO should be distinguished ”
With Somalia preparing for upcoming elections, the debate over electoral processes continues, with the federal government advocating for a direct vote while the opposition raises concerns.
Mustaqbal
