Hiiraan Online
Saturday February 4, 2017
Mogadishu (HOL) – Presidential hopefuls continued with their campaign speeches to Parliament in Mogadishu today, the second of three days of speeches.
Seven of the Presidential candidates delivered their address to members of both Houses of Parliament in a bid to sway potential voters.
The candidates were Dr. Abdinasir Abdulle Ahmed, Abdirahman Abdi Shakur, Abdirahman Mohamed Farole, Abdullahi Ahmed Ali Gees aka Adow Ali Gees, Abdullahi Elmoge Hirsi, Abduqadir Osoble Ali, and Ali Hajji Warsame.
The main themes of the election speeches were job creation, strengthening the security sector and rebuilding Somalia's crumbling infrastructure.
Here are some of the noteworthy messages from each of the candidates:
Dr. Abdinasir Abdulle Ahmed
Dr. Abdulle spoke at length about redevelopment and state building. He promised to rebuild neglected institutions like the judiciary and social services.
He also spoke of forming a special reconciliation council to investigate some of the atrocities that have happened during Somalia's darkest years. He also said he would invite Somaliland to the table for meaningful dialogue.
Dr. Abdirahman Abdi Shakur
Dr. Abdirahman Abdi Shakur began by lamenting that he is saddened by the absence of female contenders among the Presidential candidates. He said he welcomed the recent ICJ decision to hear Somalia's case against Kenya in its Maritime Dispute. He pointed at the Maritime case as evidence that Somalia's regional neighbours do not respect its sovereignty.
His plan involves emphasizing party politics instead of clan politics, saying tribalism is the leading cause of political division among Somalis, which Al Shabaab exploits. He added that the insurgency group killed 19 MP's.
Abdirahman Mohamed Farole
The former President of Puntland said his number one priority is security. Second is empowering the Somali soldiers, and third is fighting corruption within the government.
"If we don't have security, it will be difficult for any government to function."
He said Somalia currently has too many MP's and if he were elected, he would work to reduce it.
Abdullahi Ahmed Ali Gees (Adow Ali Gees)
Mr. Ali Gees said he intends on working with Somaliland to restore the unity of Somalia.
He also stated that he would focus on strengthening the national currency
Abdullahi Elmoge Hirsi
Mr. Hirsi said his administration would prioritize security and the Somali army. He believes Somalia needs a leader that will stand behind the armed forces as it battles Al Shabaab.
He vowed to disarm all private companies and regulate security.
He also said that he would invite fringe groups to the fold such as Ahlu Sunna and open up a dialogue with Somaliland.
Abduqadir Osoble Ali
Mr. Ali said that good governance would be the pillar of his administration. He promised a government endorsed job fair, facilitating both government and private investment in Somalia as well as implementing a comprehensive tax code.
Ali Haji Warsame
Mr. Warsame said he too would focus on security. He promised that he would draft a plan that would foster a smooth and peaceful exit strategy for AMISOM.
Somalia's bi-cameral Parliament will choose between 24 candidates to elect the nation's next President.