PM Sharmarke to square off with President Mohamud in October 30 poll

Somalia’s Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke Monday declared his entry to the 2016 Presidential race, a move which could see him sit in an office his father occupied 47 years ago before he was felled by a bodyguard’s bullet.

Omar’s declaration would not only mirror a son’s quest to walk in father’s footsteps as President but also as Prime Minister. Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke was Prime Minister of Somalia from July 12, 1960 to June 14, 1964, and President June 10, 1967 until his assassination on October 15, 1969.

While announcing his bid for Presidency billed on security, good governance and economic development in Mogadishu, the PM said his Presidency will chart a new course for Somalia following what he termed as four years of political instability which seriously hindered progress in the country.

“For the past four years, we have witnessed political rifts which have prevented us from achieving what we were set to. We were not able to finish the Constitutional Review process and other important benchmarks which was set for this term,” said Sharmarke.

He however sounded upbeat about his one and half years in government noting his government was able to fight insecurity and implement major development projects.

His administration if elected October 30, Sharmarke said would focus on restoring peace, bridging political differences and promoting economic development.

Sharmake’s announcement today adds him to a list of more than ten candidates who have declared or in the process of declaring their interests for the office to unseat the incumbent President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

In February 13, 2009, Sharmarke was appointed Prime Minister under Ahmed Sheikh Sharif administration but resigned September 21, 2010 following run-ins with the President. He then proceeded to become Somalia’s ambassador to the US in July 14, 2014.

However Hassan Sheikh Mohamud recalled him barely five months in the US to form the next government after a fierce fall out with then Premier Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed.

Sharmarke will be now be challenging President Mohamud whom he has maintained a somewhat genial relationship with. Out of the four years President Mohamud has been in office, Sharmarke has been the longest serving.

Abdi Farah Shirdon and his successor Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed served for one year each.

He graduated with a degree in Economics from the National University before proceeding to Canada where he acquired a degree in Political Science and MA in Political Economy from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.

The Canada educated Prime Minister has been credited for his negotiation skills particularly during the clashes between Galmudug and Puntland over the Galkaayo border which claimed upwards of 30 lives and displaced hundreds of families last year.