Somalia: Youth group in Mogadishu campaigns against graft in upcoming elections
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Sunday July 25, 2021 - 12:41:25 in Latest News by Staff Reporter
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MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) - Over one hundred youth from different parts of Mogadishu have today called for free and fair elections and warned against corruption as the country starts selecting a new crop of leaders.
"We want to urge both elders to cease the behaviour where delegates are given money to choose MPs. We want candidates to come up with their manifesto and convince the delegates to vote for them,” the chairperson of Benadir Youth, Abdikafi Mohamud Makran said.
The youth under the umbrella of U istaag Dadka iyo Dalka Platform (Stand for the people and the country) who matched through some of the streets of Mogadishu and finally gathered in Mogadishu's Shibis district, demanded that candidates should stop using money to influence voters.
They noted that a corruption free election will result in leaders who can lead the country into prosperity.
"We want to urge both elders to cease the behaviour where delegates are given money to choose MPs. We want candidates to come up with their manifesto and convince the delegates to vote for them,” the chairperson of Benadir Youth, Abdikafi Mohamud Makran said.
Founder of Uistaag Dadka iyo Dalka Platform, Abdirahman Yusuf Ali on his part warned the candidates against the notion that they will use their money to get the seats, vowing that those who chose this path will be held accountable.
"Have in mind that, if you are elected through money, the people today are united and (they) will hold you accountable," said Abdirahman.
Youth in South West of Somalia are sending msg to Somali’s candidates for all level, leaders and politicians #betterSomaliapic.twitter.com/4tl71XAcjn
— Uistaag Dadka iyo Dalka (@UistaagD) July 25, 2021
Similar gatherings were held in Baidoa and Kismayo of Southwest and Jubbaland states respectively.
The remarks by the youth association come as the country starts electing near leaders.
According to the elections schedule, Federal Member State Parliaments were supposed to start voting for new Senators as from yesterday but that process has not kicked off yet.
Previous elections in Somalia have been characterised by massive corruption. In 2016, then Auditor General Nur Farah Jimale said bribes ranged between $5,000 to over half a million dollars. He cited two seats in Galmudug and HirShabelle which in total cost respective winners a total of $1.3 million.
Elections for MPs will run from August 12 to September 2 while presidential elections are expected to take place on October 10.
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Somalia: Youth group in Mogadishu campaigns against graft in upcoming elections
MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) - Over one hundred youth from different parts of Mogadishu have today called for free and fair elections and warned against corruption as the country starts selecting a new crop of leaders.