Prime Minister Directs Government Agencies To Safeguard Candidates’ Rights

All political candidates should be given the freedom of association with members of the public as well as the press, Prime Minister Omar Sharmarke has directed.

In a letter dated September 22 and copied to concerned ministries, security agencies and the Banadir regional administration, the Premier said all candidates have the right to campaign and sell their vision as granted by the constitution and agreed upon by the National Leaders Forum and the same have to be guaranteed without any prejudice.

The directive comes a day after Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International airport officials issued a directive requiring journalists to seek authority before accessing the facility. Sharmarke is himself a presidential candidate.