How Much Influence Will Clans Have On Somali Elections?

Somali Prime Minister Hussein Roble has announced the final timetable for elections, indicating Senate elections will take place from July 25, 2021, followed by that for members of the lower house. Debate has already ensued on the role that clans will play in determining who takes which seat. Somalia had initially planned for universal suffrage, which would have been the first time since 1969. But delays in passing a new Constitution and setting up institutions capable of running those elections, means that cannot happen now. Most analysts think these elections will largely depend on who has money, connections with the federal states and a campaign strategy to sell itself as the best. Meanwhile, opposition groups have changed their stance and accepted an electoral boss they had initially rejected. Mohamed Hassan Irro, who had been chairman of the disbanded federal independent electoral teams, has been voted to chair the new Federal Independent Electoral Commission, bringing to an end months of bickering.