Galmudug presidential elections postponed to April 30

Presidential elections for Galmudug state will take place on April 30, the Interior Ministry has announced adding the process will involve the moderate islamist group Alhusuna wal Jamaa which had previously declined to participate in the administration of former president Abdikarim Guled.

The elections which follow the resignation of Guled on health grounds in February will be preceded by negotiations between the Galmudug state and Alhusuna between April 10 and 24.

In a statement signed by Interior Minister Abdi Farh Juha, Galmudug deputy president Mohamed Hassin, Galmudug Speaker Ali Ga’al and Mohamed Hassan Geeli the state’s electoral committee chair, the leaders said preparations for the elections will take place between April 25 and 30^th.

The elections were initially slated for April 10.

Galmudug senator and Senate deputy speaker Abshir Bukhari said Saturday negotiations with Alhusuna were ongoing and signaled possibility of the group ceding its position to join hands in the formation of the new administration.

“Galmudug Senators, MPs, Interior Minister & Galmudug Parliament unanimously postpone presidential poll to April 30. Hope for inclusive state,” the senator said in a tweet.

Alhusuna walked out of the Galmudug state formation conference in 2014 over what it termed as non- inclusion creating a rift between the group and the Guled administration. The group occupied the supposed Galmudug headquarters Dhusaamareb to date.