Skip to main content

🧭 The Walk of Shame for Going Back to the Tent

Image
By

 

🧭 The Walk of Shame for Going Back to the Tent

Somalia’s Elusive One Man, One Vote Dream

📅 Published: June 2025
✍️ By The Somali Diary

Introduction


For a nation that has spent the better part of two decades trying to untangle itself from conflict, fragmentation, and fragile governance, the promise of “one man, one vote” in Somalia was always more than a procedural ambition. It was a symbolic return to full citizenship, a path toward dignity and democratic legitimacy.

But as Somalia stumbles toward another election cycle, the reality has become stark: the country is once again walking back to the "tent" — the indirect, clan-based electoral model. This isn’t just a compromise. To many, it is a national embarrassment. A walk of shame.

The Idealism of One Man, One Vote

The administration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud came into office with a bold commitment to implement direct elections. In April 2023, the Federal Government and four Federal Member States agreed on a framework to hold direct elections by 2024 — a significant departure from the 4.5 clan-based model (VOA News, 2023).

“We must build a Somalia where every citizen has an equal voice — not one determined by clan or elite privilege.”
— President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, 2023

This vision inspired reform-minded Somalis and donors alike. But rhetoric, as history has shown, is not a substitute for security, infrastructure, or political consensus.

Opposition Voices: More Than Just Politics

Somalia’s opposition leaders — including former Presidents Farmaajo and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed — have criticized the government’s approach not only for its exclusivity, but also for its lack of feasibility. Their objections are grounded in harsh realities:

  • The Federal Government lacks control over vast swaths of the country.

  • The security environment remains unstable.

  • There is no consensus on the recently amended constitution, which was passed without inclusive consultation (Hiiraan Online, 2024).

Bottlenecks: More Than Logistical

🔒 1. Security

Somalia remains a battleground. In 2023, over 1,200 civilians were killed or injured in conflict-related violence — mostly due to Al-Shabaab attacks (UNSOM Human Rights Report, 2023). How can you set up polling stations in areas the state doesn’t control?

🏛️ 2. Institutional Weakness

The National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) is underfunded and lacks operational independence. Plans for biometric voter registration have stalled (International Crisis Group, 2023).

🌍 3. Federal Disunity

Puntland rejected the 2023 electoral deal outright and held its own direct elections in 2024 — outside of the federal framework (BBC Somali, 2024).

📜 4. Legal Uncertainty

The new constitutional amendments restructured Somalia’s political system without national consensus. This shift — from parliamentary to presidential — has been rejected by key states and opposition figures, sparking a new constitutional crisis (Garowe Online, 2024).

Comparative Snapshot: Regional Lessons

🇪🇹 Ethiopia

Despite having national elections, ethnic divisions and ongoing conflict undermine democratic legitimacy (HRW, 2021).

🇸🇸 South Sudan

More than a decade after independence, the country still hasn’t held elections due to insecurity and elite fragmentation (UNMISS, 2023).

🇰🇪 Kenya

Although elections are often contested, a functioning judiciary and electoral body provide the backbone for regular universal suffrage (Carter Center, 2022).

Back to the Tent: Familiar, But Flawed

Somalia's “tent” model — where clan elders select electoral delegates, who then elect MPs and the president — has enabled peaceful transitions in 2012, 2017, and 2022. But:

  • It excludes millions of citizens.

  • It entrenches elite and clan dominance.

  • It undermines democratic legitimacy (Heritage Institute, 2022).

Returning to this model in 2025 is not progress, but damage control.

Final Thoughts: Beyond the Shame

Going back to the tent is not just a setback — it’s a sign that the state-building project has hit a wall. But this moment also offers a chance for honest self-assessment.

✅ What Somalia Needs:

  • A national reconciliation process between the center and states.

  • Security sector reform to regain control over territory.

  • An inclusive, participatory constitutional review process.

  • Realistic electoral timelines based on actual readiness, not political theatre.

📌 Conclusion

The “walk of shame” is a bitter pill. But pretending Somalia is ready for one man, one vote when it’s not — would be an even greater lie. Progress is only meaningful when it’s rooted in reality.

If the return to the tent sparks reflection and reform, not resignation, it may yet become a turning point.

🔗 References & Further Reading

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

"The Ripple Effect: How USAID Funding Cuts Threaten Somalia’s Fragile Stability"

By
Somalia’s Political, Security, and Economic Landscape  Somalia stands at a critical juncture, grappling with a complex mix of political instability, security threats, and economic fragility. The country, which has long suffered from civil conflict and weak governance structures, has made significant yet fragile progress in state-building. The federal government continues to struggle with power disputes among federal member states, clan-based rivalries, and delayed elections that hinder political stability.  On the security front, armed oppoaition groups remains a potent force, orchestrating frequent attacks on both civilian and military targets. Despite ongoing counterterrorism efforts by the Somali National Army (SNA) and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), the militant group maintains control over strategic areas, disrupting governance and humanitarian operations.  Economically, Somalia faces a daunting reality. With a heavy reliance on external a...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Somali Political Crisis Explained: Elections, Opposition, and Security Challenges

By
Somalia’s Current Political Standoff: A Nation at a Crossroads As Somalia’s current government approaches the final year of its term, the political landscape is becoming increasingly charged and complex. The return of opposition leaders to Mogadishu has injected new energy into the capital, signalling a resurgence of political activity and mobilisation that is impossible to ignore. This renewed opposition presence underscores the growing momentum of political gatherings and movements, reflecting a palpable shift in the country’s political dynamics. The Government’s Vision: One Person, One Vote In response to the evolving political climate, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, alongside Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, the Speaker of the House of the People, and influential state leaders from Hirshabelle, Galmudug, and Southwest states, have announced the formation of a new political party. This coalition champions a transformative electoral vision grounded in the principle of “one man, one...
Post a Comment
Read more

The US Dollar A Common Currency In Somalia

By
The US dollar is a common currency in Somalia The US dollar is commonly used as a currency in Somalia, especially in urban areas and in international transactions. This is due to the instability of the Somali shilling, which has experienced significant inflation and devaluation over the years. The use of the US dollar in Somalia dates back to the early 1990s, when the country descended into civil war and the central government collapsed. Without a functioning central bank to issue and regulate its currency, Somalia has relied on foreign currencies, such as the US dollar, for trade and commerce. Additionally, many Somalis living abroad send remittances to their families in Somalia in US dollars, further contributing to the widespread use of the currency in the country. How has the use of the US dollar affected the Somali economy? The use of the US dollar in Somalia has had both positive and negative effects on the economy. Positive effects : - Stabilization: The US dollar has pro...
Post a Comment
Read more

"Proxy Power Plays: How Turkish and Emirati Private Military Deployments Signal a New Era of Militarized Influence in Somalia"

By
Somalia long a battleground for internal stability, is increasingly becoming a geopolitical chessboard for external powers. The recent arrival of Turkish-deployed private military personnel  in the south and UAE affliated security contractors in the northeast—marks a dangerous escalation in the militarization of Somali soil. These developments signal not just a new chapter in Somalia’s complex security story, but a stark warning: global and regional powers are using Somalia as a base for proxy operations in broader regional conflicts. Turkey’s Strategic Deployment in the South Under the guise of bilateral defense cooperation, Turkey has deployed trained mercenaries, many with combat experience in Syria and Libya, to Somalia. While officially tasked with supporting counterterrorism operations against Al-Shabaab, their presence suggests a deeper mission: protecting Turkish economic and political interests, projecting military power along the Gulf of Aden, and countering adversaries...
Post a Comment
Read more