2009 Puntland presidential election

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2009 Puntland presidential election
Flag of Puntland.svg
  2005 8 January 2009 (2009-01-08) 2014  

66 MPs of the House of Representatives
45 votes needed to win
  President of Puntland (6252975821) cropped.jpg UNSomalia - 18864895256 (cropped).jpg
Candidate Abdirahman Farole Abdullahi Ahmed Jama
Party Horseed Independent
Electoral vote4917

President before election

Adde Muse

Elected President

Abdirahman Farole

The 2009 Puntland presidential election was held on 8 January 2009 in Garowe, the administrative capital of the autonomous Puntland state of Somalia. The second such vote to be held in the state since its establishment 1998, it followed the election of a new Parliament Speaker and Deputy Speakers on January 04, 2009 by the 66-seat bicameral legislature. Candidates included officials from the incumbent Puntland administration, former government ministers and prominent local entrepreneurs. The ballot saw the election of former Puntland minister of finance Abdirahman Farole as the fourth president of Puntland, majority defeating Abdullahi Ahmed Jama. Parliament of Puntland concurrently elected Abdisamad Ali Shire as Puntland's new vice president in place of Hassan Dahir Afqurac.

Contents

Background

In January 2009 the semi-autonomous state of Puntland in Somalia witnessed a pivotal presidential election. The newly elected President, Abdirahman Mohamed Farole, assumed office amidst significant challenges, pledging to address piracy, corruption, and restore security. [1]

Campaigns

President Farole, a reformist figure, campaigned on promises of eliminating piracy, tackling corruption, and prioritizing security. The incumbent, President Adde Muse, faced accusations of financial mismanagement, corruption, and a deteriorating security situation. Farole's victory, securing 49 out of 66 votes, reflected widespread discontent with Muse's administration. [2]

Ahmed Saeed O'Nur, a presidential candidate, highlighted accusations of corruption against Muse, urging parliament not to re-elect him. The campaign period saw heightened political tension, but the election itself unfolded peacefully, credited to mediation by clan elders. [2]

Results

In the presidential elections, conducted by members of the House of Representatives, a total of 66 valid votes were cast in each round. There were no abstentions or invalid votes throughout the process. [3]

Abdirahman Farole emerged as the victor, securing increasing support in each round. In the first round, he garnered 25 votes, representing 37.88% of the total. His support continued to grow in subsequent rounds, reaching 33 votes (50.00%) in the second round and ultimately 49 votes (74.24%) in the third round. [3]

His closest competitor, Abdullahi Ahmed Jama "Ilkajir" initially received 14 votes (21.21%) in the first round. However, his support dwindled slightly in the following rounds, with 18 votes (27.27%) in the second round and 17 votes (25.76%) in the third round. [3]

Other candidates, including Nuradin Adan Diriye, Mohamud Muse Hersi "Adde" Adan Mohamed Gadale, Said Mohamed Rage, Ali Abdi Aware, and Omar Ali Farjac, either maintained or lost their support throughout the rounds, with some dropping out of the race after the first or second round. [3]

Abdisamad Ali Shire was elected vice-president. [4]

Faroole, Puntland's third president, is a former banker and Puntland finance minister. He is a member of the Isse Mohamoud sub-clan of the dominant Majeerteen clan and hails from Garowe. Gen Shire originates from Taleh, Ugaadhyahan sub-clan of Dhulbahante. [5] [6]

CandidatePartyFirst roundSecond roundThird round
Votes%Votes%Votes%
Abdirahman Farole Horseed 2537.883350.004974.24
Abdullahi Ahmed Jama Independent1421.211827.271725.76
Nuradin Adan DiriyeIndependent812.121116.67
Mohamud Muse Hersi Independent812.1246.06
Adan Mohamed GadaleIndependent46.06
Said Mohamed Rage Independent46.06
Ali Abdi Aware Independent34.55
Omar Ali FarjacIndependent00.00
Total66100.0066100.0066100.00
Source: African Elections Database

Reactions

The international community, represented by U.S.-based observer Michael Weinstein, acknowledged the success of the election as a potential model for Somalia. The role of clan elders in ensuring a smooth transition was highlighted, emphasizing the capacity for Somalis to unite for a common cause.

President Farole's subsequent demand for the withdrawal of Somaliland forces from Sool region strained relations. The Somaliland Foreign Minister expressed discontent, indicating potential challenges to regional peace.

In light of Farole's reformist stance, expectations were high for concrete steps toward fulfilling campaign promises, particularly in addressing poverty, promoting economic development, and renegotiating controversial agreements, such as the mineral and oil rights deal signed in 2006.

The overall sentiment was that a responsible and stable government in Puntland under Farole's leadership could contribute significantly to the broader stability of Somalia. The need for an honest leader to navigate these complexities and foster unity remained crucial for the region's future.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puntland</span> Federal state in northeastern Somalia

Puntland, officially the Puntland State of Somalia, is a Federal Member State in northeastern Somalia. The capital city is the city of Garoowe in the Nugal region, and its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 1998. Puntland had a population of 4,334,633 in 2016. Geographically to the west, Puntland lays claim to the intra-46th meridian territories that were outside European colonial rule during parts of the Scramble for Africa period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Majeerteen</span> Somali clan

The Majeerteen, alternately known as MohammedHarti, are a prominent Somali sub-clan of the Harti, which falls under the Darod conglomerate of clans. Traditionally, they inhabit extensive territories in the Bari, Nugaal, and Mudug regions of Somalia, spanning from Bosaso to Garacad, mainly in Puntland state. Additionally, Majeerteen populations are present in southern towns such as Kismayo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darod</span> Somali clan family

The Darod is a Somali clan. The forefather of this clan is Sheikh Abdirahman bin Isma'il al-Jabarti, more commonly known as Darod. The clan primarily settles the apex of the Horn of Africa and its peripheries, the Somali hinterlands adjacent to Oromia (Ogaden), and both sides of the Kenya–Somalia border. The Darod clan is the largest Somali clan family in the Horn of Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohamed Abdi Hashi</span> First Vice president of Puntland (died 2020)

Mohamed Abdi Hashi was a Somali politician, who served as the president of USP during the 1990s. He hailed from the Dhulbahante clan, Qayaad sub clan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harti</span> Sub-clan of the Somali Darod clan

The Harti, (Somali: Harti, Arabic: هرتي, lit. 'strong man'), are a Somali clan that trace their lineage back to SalehAbdi (Harti). They are a sub-clan of the larger Darod clan. Notable sub-clans within Harti include the Majeerteen, Dhulbahante, and the Warsengeli. They predominantly reside in the apex of the Horn of Africa and its surrounding regions. Furthermore, in the southern territories, the clan's settlements span both sides of the Kenya-Somalia border.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdirahman Farole</span> Former President of Puntland, Somalia

Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamoud Farole is a Somali politician. He served for many years in the government, acting as a governor of the Nugal region of Somalia in the 1990s and later as the Minister of Finance of the autonomous Puntland region in the northeast. From 8 January 2009 to 8 January 2014, Farole was also the President of Puntland. Farole's multipronged efforts at creating provisions and collaboration with international polities and organizations resulted in a drastic decrease in piracy along the Marinka Gardafuul.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdisamad Ali Shire</span> Vice President of Puntland, Somalia (died 2021)

Abdisamad Ali Shire was a Somali politician and military officer who served as the Vice President of Puntland fom January 8, 2009, to January 8, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdiweli Gaas</span> Former president of Puntland and Prime Minister of Somalia

Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas, also more known as Abdiweli Gaas, is a Somali American economist and politician. He served as the Prime Minister of Somalia from June 2011 to October 2012, and briefly afterwards as an MP in the newly formed Federal Parliament. During his time as premier, Ali is credited with having devised the formal "Roadmap for the End of Transition", a political process that provided clear benchmarks leading toward the establishment of permanent democratic institutions in the country. On 8 January 2014, he was elected the 5th President of the Puntland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mahad Abdalle Awad</span> Somali politician

Mahad Abdalle Awad is a Somali politician. He is the second deputy speaker of the Federal Parliament of Somalia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Horseed (political party)</span> Political party in Somalia

Horseed is a political party based in Garowe, the administrative capital of the autonomous Puntland state in northeastern Somalia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Puntland presidential election</span>

The 2014 Puntland presidential election was held on 8 January 2014 in Garowe, the administrative capital of the autonomous Puntland region in northeastern Somalia. The third such vote to be held in the state since its formation in 1998, it followed the election of a new Parliament Speaker and Deputy Speakers on 4 January 2014 by the 66-seat regional legislature. Candidates included officials from the incumbent Puntland administration, former government ministers and prominent local entrepreneurs. The ballot saw the election of former prime minister of Somalia Abdiweli Gaas as the fifth president of Puntland, narrowly defeating the incumbent Abdirahman Farole. Parliament of Puntland concurrently elected Abdihakim Abdullahi Haji Omar as Puntland's new vice president in place of Abdisamad Ali Shire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdihakim Abdullahi Haji Omar</span> Former vice president of Puntland, Somalia

Abdihakim Abdullahi Haji Omar, also known as Abdihakin Abdullahi Omar Amey, is a Somali politician. Former Vice President of Puntland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Somali presidential election</span>

Indirect presidential elections were held in Somalia on 8 February 2017. Members of parliament elected in the autumn-2016 parliamentary election elected former Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed to the post of President of Somalia for a four-year term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isse Mohamoud</span> Somali Sub Clan

Isse MohamoudorEisse Mahmoud, ; Eisse is a prominent sub-clan within the Majertein clan, comprising a significant population in four regional states primarily located in Puntland Somalia.

Puntland, ,, officially the Puntland State of Somalia, Arabic: ولاية أرض البنط الصومالية), is a Federal Member State in northeastern Somalia. The Administrative Capital is Garowe in the Nugal region, and its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 1998. Geographically to the west, Puntland lays claim to the intra-46th meridian territories that were outside European colonial rule during parts of the Scramble for Africa period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elections in Puntland</span>

Puntland, state of Somalia, conducts its elections through a system of indirect voting. Local elders select delegates who then vote for members of the Parliament, House of representatives of Puntland Unicameral legislature,, in turn, elects head of state and. The process aims to involve various clans and ensure representation in the political structure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Puntland presidential election</span>

The 2019 Puntland presidential election was held on 8 January 2019 in Garowe, the administrative capital of the autonomous Puntland state of Somalia. The fourth such vote to be held in the state since its establishment 1998, it followed the election of a new Parliament Speaker and Deputy Speakers on January 04, 2019 by the 66-seat bicameral legislature. Candidates included officials from the incumbent Puntland administration, former government ministers and prominent local entrepreneurs. The ballot saw the election of former somali minister of planning Said Abdullahi Deni as the sixth president of Puntland, narrowly defeating General Asad Osman Abdullahi. Parliament of Puntland concurrently elected Ahmed Elmi Osman as Puntland's new vice president in place of Abdihakim Abdullahi Haji Omar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005 Puntland presidential election</span>

The 2005 Puntland presidential election was held on 8 January 2005 in Garowe, the administrative capital of the autonomous Puntland state of Somalia. The first such vote to be held in the state since its establishment 1998, it followed the election of a new Parliament Speaker and Deputy Speakers on January 04, 2005 by the 66-seat unicameral legislature. Candidates included officials from the incumbent Puntland administration, former government ministers and prominent local entrepreneurs. The ballot saw the election of Military leader General Adde Muse as the third president of Puntland, narrowly defeating Mohamed Abdi Hashi. Parliament of Puntland concurrently elected Hassan Dahir Afqurac as Puntland's new vice president in place of Mohamed Ali Yusuf.

References

  1. "Puntland Votes for a New Leadership". Hiiraan. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  2. 1 2 "New Puntland President Faces Stiff Challenges". VOA News. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Elections in Puntland". African Elections Database. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  4. "Somalia: New Puntland president "to fight insecurity"". ReliefWeb. 2009-01-08. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  5. "Somalia: New Puntland president "to fight insecurity"". ReliefWeb. 2009-01-08. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  6. "Waraysi madaxweyne ku xigeenka Puntland". BBC News Somali (in Somali). 2013-11-30. Retrieved 2024-04-17.