President Hassan Sheikh asks newly elected MPs in Jubbaland to back his re-election bid

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has asked the newly elected MPs from Jubbaland to vote for him in the upcoming presidential elections in the country.

Speaking to the media after a meeting with them, President Hassan expressed optimism that he will win the race again.

“Since I’m a presidential candidate, I asked the MPs for their vote in the forthcoming elections so as to allow me complete my unfinished tasks,” he told local reporters in Kismayo.

President Hassan presented his political program to the MPs promising that if re-elected, he will put a lot of effort in security improvement.“Security is my main priority if I’m re-elected.

“My new administration will bolster security to the point where public vehicles that leave Kismayo will be able to arrive in Mogadishu peacefully,” he noted.

Reacting to the president’s remarks, critics expressed little hope in the new pledges by the president accusing him of doing little to strengthen the country’s fragile security.

They said the biggest and deadliest Al-Shabaab attacks took place during his tenure in office.

Attacks against presidential palace, the parliament building, Banadir court complex and ministries were among many Al-Shabaab assaults carried out by Al-Shabaab during President Hassan’s four years in office.