By RFIPalled on 12-08-2019Modified on 12-08-2019 at 01:04

The semi-autonomous state of Jubaland will vote in late August for the Parliament and the regional presidency. A poll seen as a real test for the federal system Somali, but the electoral process is already criticized from all sides.

In a letter to the UN Special Envoy to Somalia, the council of elders in Jubaland, in the south of the country, expresses concern. He accuses the local electoral commission of being biased, and calls on the international community to intervene.

To avoid a postponement of the election first, but also to protect them, the elders, who ensure to feel endangered in this election period. It is true that the United Nations had already expressed doubts last week about the functioning of the election. While the federal government, in Mogadishu, threatens not to recognize the outcome of these elections.

For its part, the local electoral commission ensures that it is able to organize a transparent and credible vote. It has already validated seven candidatures for the regional presidency.

An important election for Kenya

Among them, that of the outgoing president, Ahmed Mohamed Islam, aka Madobe . A former founding member of the Shebab terrorist group, who was repentant in the late 2000s, he helped Kenyan troops retake Kismayo, the third Somali city, then in the hands of the Shebabs. For Kenya, which shares a border with Jubaland, it is seen as a strong ally in the fight against the terrorist group.

For Matt Bryden, director of think tank Sahan Research and specialist of the Horn of Africa, this poll hides strong regional issues.

" This is an extremely important election in the regional context in the sense that Jubaland's current president, Ahmed Madobe, is an ally of Kenya. In fact, they are Kenyan troops, who, under the banner of AMISOM, provide security for much of Jubaland as well as its capital, Kismayo. Kenya would be very happy to see the current president re - elected, he analyzes . But the federal government of Mogadishu wants to see Madobe leave and tries to persuade Ethiopia and other regional actors to align with this position. So, there is a danger that Ethiopia and Kenya are opposed on this issue, which would be a blow to a strong partnership between the two countries that has lasted for more than 50 years. "

► See also - Somalia: Shebabs claim a deadly attack on a hotel in Kismayo

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