Somalia: President Announces Run for 2nd Term

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed has officially declared his candidacy for the 2022 presidential elections.

The 60-year-old incumbent – also known as “Farmaajo” – announced his re-election plans during a televised speech yesterday, Sunday 8 May.

“I call for both houses of the parliament to vote for me,” he added after sharing his future political plans; he said his run is “in response to the Somali people’s call”.

Farmaajo ascended to the presidency in 2017, and while his first term mandate technically ended last year in February – with elections to take place the following month – he remained in office due to the delay in parliamentary elections brought on by the ongoing political crisis.

He faces stiff competition from two former heads of state: Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, as well as four other members of Parliament (MPs).

The Somali election system has MPs picked by heads of clans, and civil society senior representatives elected by regional state officials; the MPs hold the responsibility of voting for a new president.

The country’s presidential elections take place on Sunday, 15 May.

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