Topic:
Country: Somalia
Delegate Name: Ashu Bharath
Elections are fundamental to the success of our democracy. Holding elections, along with ensuring that power changes hands in accordance with their outcomes, is the essence of democratic self-government. By defending them, we also protect the rights and system of government.
Somalia operates under a federal system of governance. The country is divided into federal member states along with the self-declared autonomous regions. Following the collapse of Siad Barre’s military dictatorship in 1991 Somalia lost its central authority. Warlords usurped control over territory, leading to fragmented governance and instability. These events set Somali society to be structured around various clans. This division catalyzes political power to be distributed according to clan-based interests rather than national unity. These clan allegiances frequently caused conflicts in combination with triggering a number of clans to feel marginalized or excluded. This effectively hinders efforts to form a cohesive, functioning national government.
Political fragmentation along clan lines led to semi-autonomous areas such as Puntland and Somaliland, among others, complicating efforts to build a unified state. The legislative branch of the Somali government contains the Upper House made up of representatives from each federal member state. The Lower House consists of 275 members who represent various voting bodies across the country, this is predominantly where Clan participation appears. These members are selected through an indirect election process, with clan elders playing a major role in the selection of candidates.
The most recent elections in Somalia 2022 for president were widely regarded as having been the least representative and inclusive, as presidents of federal member states, the president of the federal government of Somalia, and political figures controlling militia dominated the nomination and selection process at the expense of clan elders and members of the electoral colleges. The same year, Puntland advanced a plan to hold one person, one vote elections for its parliament in areas where deemed feasible. The initiative was met with mixed reactions. Somaliland is the sole region where a semblance of direct elections are held. Somalia employs the use of their 4.5 formula as well. It is the division of the Somali population into five groups along clan lines, where four of the five groups are the “major clans”, whereas the fifth group includes all other clans and peoples not covered by the first four groups. This coalition group is worth half the value of each of the other four groups in terms of political representation. This policy was greatly unfavored by many marginalized clans, as was reflected in the 2014, local think tank published a poll of 1,633 people from across the Benadir region. The poll found that 93% of residents strongly favored democratic elections, while 72% were dissatisfied with clan-based representation and the 4.5 formula.
Al-Shabaab is the predominant terrorist group in Somalia that emerged from Somalia’s chaotic environment. It controls large parts of southern Somalia and continues to launch attacks against government forces, civilians, foreign interests. The group has established a highly authoritarian and repressive form of rule. The Islamist militia aims to control all aspects of public and private life. Threats and harsh punishments have created a general climate of fear in the areas under its control. None of the political factions in Somalia exercise the power to govern the country effectively. The Federal Government of Somalia is highly dependent on international donors and lacks the ability to implement laws in the area it controls.
Corruption is detrimental to Somalia’s political system. Weak institutions along with the lack of transparency in many government officials, military leaders, and political elites cause them to engage in illicit activities such as misuse of public funds, bribery, and kickbacks. Patronage networks based on clan loyalties influence political appointments as well as resource distribution. This makes it difficult for the government to implement policies that benefit the population as a whole. Political rewards are often given to those who belong to influential clans or support the ruling elite, undermining the principles of democratic governance. The decision to use an indirect election model further increases the risk of corruption. During the election, vote-buying, bribery and other forms of corruption and fraud were pervasive. In February 2017, former President Farmaajo started his term in office by promising to fight corruption. However, subsequent efforts to contain corruption have been modest at best. Additionally, the new president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, was accused of widespread corruption during his previous term in office. Corrupt officials mostly enjoy impunity. While individual cases of dismissal due to corruption are known, there are usually no legal repercussions, irrespective of how high-level the corruption is.
This widespread corruption allows for the censorship of opposing parties and views, leading to more authoritarian governments. In areas controlled by al-Shabaab, association and assembly rights are severely restricted, and civil society organizations, aid workers and journalists are regularly victims of indiscriminate attacks and targeted killings. Journalists have been harassed and arrested and have been victims of targeted killings. Over the past 10 years, 54 Somali journalists have been killed. In 2022, a spate of assassinations of journalists prompted the head of UNESCO to express alarm and anger. Somalia continues to be ranked as one of the most dangerous countries for journalists in Africa and ranked first on the global impunity index, which highlights countries where the murder of journalists goes unpunished.
It is essential to address these issues of political fragmentation, corruption, censorship and lack of political participation. In order to accomplish this, furthuring efforts to adopt a One-person, One-Vote system would allow countries to distance themselves from indirect elections influenced by clan affiliation along with a voting system that includes all eligible citizens. Moreover, implementing education programs to encourage voter participation based on policy rather than corrupt motives would be beneficial. To eradicate corruption, strengthening election oversight is necessary, as well as enhancing law enforcement and legislation against electoral malpractice. Reevaluating policies such as the 4.5 formula that suppresses minorities and prohibits political participation, is essential to ensure equal representation. Securing free and fair elections within nations requires governmental reforms, anti-corruption policies, as well as increased political inclusivity. Solutions such as these would considerably aid in these efforts.
Works Cited (links):
https://ajamarabi.medium.com/the-4-5-formula-6f0820646cc5
https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/somalia/?utm_source
https://bti-project.org/en/reports/country-report/SOM?utm
