Political organisation Towfiiq, led by Sheikh Shaakir, has rejected its exclusion from the Galmudug re-run election and accused the electoral commission of bias, urging President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to intervene.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (Somali Report) — Somali political organisation Towfiiq, led by prominent cleric Sheikh Shaakir, has rejected its exclusion from the list of political groups cleared to contest a repeat election in Galmudug state, saying it remains ready to participate in a vote conducted according to the law.
In a statement issued Monday, Towfiiq said it opposed the decision by the Galmudug electoral commission to leave the organisation off the list of groups eligible to take part in the re-run election.
The group said it was prepared to participate in the electoral process and wanted the vote to be conducted in accordance with Somalia’s electoral laws, regulations and established procedures.
Towfiiq said it was particularly concerned by the electoral commission’s decision because it had previously challenged the election process in court, arguing that some electoral procedures and legal requirements had not been properly followed.
“It was surprising that the organisation that requested the correction of the election should learn through social media that it had been excluded from the election,” Towfiiq said in its statement.
The organisation said the electoral commission already had a list of its candidates seeking seats in both chambers of the Galmudug legislature, which it described as evidence of its readiness and intention to participate in the re-run.
Towfiiq called on the electoral commission to avoid any action that could be interpreted as bias or discrimination and urged it to operate independently, impartially and in accordance with the law.
The group said it believed its exclusion was linked to the legal case it had previously filed challenging the results of the earlier election.
It described any connection between the court challenge and its exclusion from the re-run as inconsistent with principles of justice and a free and fair electoral process.
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The dispute comes amid wider political tensions surrounding elections in Galmudug, one of Somalia’s federal member states, where disagreements over electoral procedures and political participation have raised concerns about the credibility and inclusiveness of the process.
Towfiiq also appealed directly to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, urging him to intervene and ensure that electoral authorities comply with the law and court orders.
The group did not specify what immediate legal action it would take against the electoral commission’s decision, but said it would continue pressing for its right to participate in the vote.
Towfiiq called on its supporters and the wider Galmudug public to prepare for meetings and peaceful demonstrations to express their opposition to what it described as an election process that must be “free and legitimate”.
The organisation stressed that its call for demonstrations was intended to remain peaceful and focused on demanding adherence to electoral law and judicial decisions.
The controversy adds another layer to Somalia’s increasingly contested electoral landscape, where political parties, state authorities and federal institutions have repeatedly disagreed over electoral rules, procedures and the role of courts in resolving disputes.
For Towfiiq, the immediate issue is its exclusion from the repeat election. The group has maintained that its previous challenge was aimed at correcting the electoral process rather than preventing political participation.
The electoral commission had not immediately issued a detailed public response to Towfiiq’s accusations of bias and discrimination.
The dispute is expected to remain a focal point as authorities move ahead with preparations for the Galmudug re-run, with questions over political inclusion and compliance with judicial decisions likely to shape the next stage of the electoral process.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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