Minister defends Somali prime minister over criticism of opposition candidate

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Minister defends Somali prime minister over criticism of opposition candidate

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Information Minister Osman Abukar Dubbe has strongly defended Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble on the handling of the ongoing elections, which have been delayed due to internal political differences.

Opposition leader Abdirahman Abdishakur strongly questioned the prime minister’s handling of lower house polls, adding that the exercise was being done in a way that was not transparent.

Somalia’s Federal Information Minister Osman Abukar Dubbe has responded to harsh criticism from party leader Wadajir and presidential candidate.

Already, the states of Galmadug and the South-West have published the names of the candidates for the People’s House competition, following pressure from the international community. Somaliland elected four more MPs on Tuesday, bringing the total to six.

But Minister Osman Dubbe defended Prime Minister Roble’s work and said he was on the right track. He said the prime minister needed local support to organize transparent elections in the country.

“You know, indirect elections drag on. Compared to universal suffrage, where voting takes place in one day, indirect elections present different economic, security and political challenges,” he said.

“Nonetheless, the government headed by Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble is on the right track,” Minister Osman Dubbe added in a statement, noting that the government is determined to hold the elections.

Deputy Information Minister Abdirahman Al-Adala and government spokesman Mohamed Ibrahim Moalim also responded to Abdirahman Abdishakur’s allegations. They have vigorously defended the work of the Somali Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister has gone through difficult times including, but not limited to, a number of issues with outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo. The two differed on questions of elections and security responsibilities.

Roble and Farmaajo would reconcile later, but the two are rarely seen together in public. The international community which finances the elections in the country of the Horn of Africa is going through difficult times.

GAROWE ONLINE

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