Opinion: Beyond Winning and Losing: Towards a Better Galmudug

“Galmudug’s greatest victory will come when political competition strengthens unity, institutions, stability and delivers lasting progress for every citizen.” - Said Abdi Jama

In politics, victory is often measured by who gains power and who loses it. Yet in post-conflict societies, a more important question must be asked: Can political competition take place without sacrificing peace, stability and the future of the people? In Galmudug, this question has become particularly important in recent years.

Galmudug is now at a defining moment in its political history. After years in which political disputes were frequently accompanied by armed confrontation and divisions, there are growing signs of a changing political culture, one increasingly shaped by dialogue, compromise, political engagement and the pursuit of legitimacy through peaceful means.

The people of Galmudug have traditionally been predominantly pastoralists, while a significant segment of the population depends on trade and small businesses that benefit from the region's strategic geographic position.

These realities have shaped the region's political character and made its developments closely watched across Somalia.

The early years of Galmudug State were marked by significant political disagreements. Disputes over the structure, authority and direction of the emerging administration contributed to divisions that eventually escalated into armed confrontation among the principal political and security actors of the time.

These disputes reflected the broader challenges of building a functioning federal state in an environment where political power, traditional authority, security structures and community interests often intersect.

Against this historical background, there were understandable expectations that the current political transition might follow a familiar pattern. As the incumbent administration approached the end of its term, many feared that competition for political leadership could produce violence.

Yet the political developments of the recent months have presented a different picture.

Galmudug's political leaders and key actors have demonstrated a level of political maturity that deserves recognition. Rather than allowing political competition to become confrontation, they have increasingly relied on compromise.

What followed was perhaps more significant than the competition itself. When the ruling party ultimately selected its preferred candidate through its internal political process, the outcome was broadly accepted by the other contenders. Their willingness to accept the decision and place the broader political process above individual ambition deserves recognition.

 It demonstrated that even highly competitive political contests can be resolved through acceptance.

This is where the true meaning of “Beyond Winning and Losing” becomes clear.

Political maturity is not simply the ability to compete for power. It is also the ability to accept political outcomes, compromise when necessary and recognize that political ambition must ultimately serve a broader public interest.

This changing political culture is also reflected in the growing role of political actors and groups that have historically played influential roles in Galmudug.

Increasingly, they are seeking legitimacy through public support and electoral competition. The local elections held on 30 July, in which more than 220,000 citizens participated, stand as the clearest demonstration of this political shift and mark another milestone in Galmudug's democratic evolution. This represents a meaningful departure from an era in which political influence was too often associated with violence and money.

The growing public embrace of direct elections is equally significant. It reflects a society that increasingly wants a meaningful role in determining who represents it and how political power is exercised. The political bar is rising. The people of Galmudug have now cast their votes to choose their leaders and local councils.