A Joint Statement by Southwest Scholars, and Civil Society Leaders Regarding Direct
Meddling in the Southwest State Electoral Process.
To: Your Excellency, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, President of Somalia
To: Your Excellency, Mohamed Mursal Sheikh, Speaker of the National Assembly
To: Your Excellency, Abdulkadir Sharif Shekhuna, Acting President of Southwest State
To: Members of the Southwest Electoral Commission
To: Your Excellency, Ambassador Don Yamamoto, U.S Mission to Somalia
To: Mr. Nicholas Haysom, UN Secretary General Special Representative for Somalia
To: Mr. Francisco Madeira, Head of the AU Mission in Somalia
Subject: Urgent Call to Refrain from Meddling in the Southwest State Election Process.
The mandate of the outgoing interim administration of Southwest State of Somalia (SWS) will
end on November 17, 2018. Before the abrupt resignation of its chair, deputy chair and
spokesperson and over ten members, the Southwest Electoral Commission (Commission) was
administering the electoral process fairly in accordance with the state and federal laws; and in a
way that relatively upholds democratic principles and rule of law. We have received reports that
the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) is applying manipulative methods to seek change and
influence the outcome rather than strengthening a fair and democratic process with transparency,
integrity and fairness.
We, the undersigned scholars and civil society leaders, are deeply concerned about the FGS’s
unconstitutional interference overshadowing people’s choices, depriving them of their
constitutional rights to express their free political will in their own accord. These acts will likely
lead to the exploitation of the fragile situation, create chaos and conflict.
We are particularly alarmed by the following:
1- FSG’s use of explicit, ill-advised methods of deposing, blocking and favoring candidates
for political expediency when its role is to stay neutral and uphold the rule of law. This
sidelines the average citizen, stifles the promise of democracy and creates a renewed
armed conflict.
2- New reports of tactics targeting specific candidates in an effort to cast a doubt on their
identity or deny them eligibility to run for SWS presidency.
3- Mass resignation by members of the Commission including the chairman, deputy
chairman, spokesperson citing deep dismay over FGS’s interference in the process.
4- Statement by the Council of Traditional Elders of the SWS postposing the presidential
election beyond November 17, 2018 citing FGS’s act of intervention including airlifting
voters (members of the state parliament) to Mogadishu for bribery and other manipulative
tactics in exchange of votes for FGS’s favorite candidate.
5- A similar statement by a coalition of candidates accusing the FGS of corruption, bribery,
nepotism and vote-buying in order to install its favorite candidates.
6- The resignation and withdrawal of the former president of SWS from his candidacy
resulting from enormous pressure and constant interfering of the process by the FGS.
We are aware there is a strong desire for a change at the state-level; however, we believe this
desired change should come through peaceful and a fair democratic process. This is quite a
serious issue and one that needs to be addressed before an already unstable situation devolves
into chaos. We strongly condemn all acts of meddling aimed to influence the election process and
