Galmudug, Puntland defy UN, Jubbaland concedes, drops former warlord from Senate race

A senior leader in the defunct Islamic Courts Union Abdifitah Mohamed Ali whose name first appeared in the Jubbaland senate list was dropped following international pressure not to include candidates ‘with a history of violence and criminality’ in the poll lists Goobjoog News has learnt.

Ali was replaced with Waris Abdi Mohamud who was subsequently beaten by Fadumo Hassan Adan in a women only contest.

Ali who was also Lower Jubba governor was mentioned alongside Puntland’s Mohamed Hersi Mogan and Abdi Hasan Awale Qeybdiid from Galmudug as candidates with ‘history of criminality, violence and terrorism’.

Galmudug proceeded to electe Qeybdiid while Puntland also stood its ground and retained Morgan’s name who will face other 28 candidates in today’s senate polls.

In a statement last week, the internation community said it was concerned by the inclusion of the three in senate lists noting their election would return Somalia to ‘dark days of warlordism’.

The nomination and potential election of any individual responsible for the violence that characterized Somalia’s civil war represent a regressive step at a time when Somalia is poised to turn a new page,” the UN and other international partners said in a joint statement.

Mohamed Hersi Mogan from Puntland has been variously accused of leading the onslaught of mass murder of civilians in Hargeisa in 1988.