A section of Somali opposition leaders struck a deal with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on the country's electoral framework, in a bid to reshape the country's political landscape.
The group, led by former Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, ex-parliamentary speakers Mohamed Mursal and Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan, and former minister Dahir Mohamud Gelle, split from the larger Salvation Forum over the weekend and signed the agreement in Mogadishu on Monday.
A joint statement seen by Julisha.co.ke said the parties agreed on an electoral system that introduces some elements of direct voting in Somalia. Members of Parliament will now be elected by the public, while the MPs will continue to choose the country's president.
The agreement also keeps the position of Prime Minister, allowing President Hassan to appoint and remove the officeholder through Parliament. This goes against the constitutional reforms proposed by President Hassan's administration earlier this year, which had aimed to replace the Prime Minister with a vice president under a presidential system.
"The President shall have the authority to appoint the PM of Somalia, subject to approval by the House of the people and may also withdraw confidence," the statement reads.
Further, both parties agreed that upcoming elections will be held under a 2024 law aligned with the agreement, while state regional assemblies will select regional leaders and their deputies.
Additionally, any political group securing at least 10 per cent of seats in Parliament will be registered as a national party, according to the pact.
"Agreed urgent steps shall be taken to conduct elections for local councils, federal member states and the federal government. Remaining chapters of the provisional Federal Constitution will be finalised without delay to ensure legal legitimacy and advance the state-building process," the statement reads.
"Both ruling and opposition groups will jointly participate in the transition toward direct 'one person, one vote' elections, covering local councils, state legislatures and both houses of the federal Parliament."
While the two parties also agreed to safeguard Somalia's sovereignty, fight terrorism, and ensure peaceful elections, doubts remain about how the agreement will be implemented.
It remains unclear whether other key players, such as the federal states of Puntland and Jubaland, along with the wider opposition, will be included in the process.
