Farmaajo officially announces his presidential bid

GOOBJOOG NEW|MOGADISHU: Outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo last night officially announced his candidacy for re-election as the president of the Somali Republic. 

Farmaajo said his bid for a second term was informed by the need to adhere to the request of the Somali people and to “continue on the path of progress and development” that his government had embarked on during his first term in office.

Farmajo, whose tenure ended in February 2021, but claimed he was caretaker authority until Somalia held elections, said in a televised speech that the country needs a trustworthy person to safeguard its security and national assets, and called on members of both houses of parliament to vote for him.

Farmaajo, who was elected as president in February 2017, will be facing tough opposition from several contenders including two former presidents Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the former prime minister Hassan Ali Khaire and Puntland President, Said Abdullahi Deni, and if re-elected, will become the first Somali president to hold office twice.