By Shire Abdi - Reporter
Mogadishu — Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud defended the South West State presidential election won by former speaker Aden Mohamed Nur Madobe, saying residents had elected their preferred candidate.
Speaking at a farewell ceremony for the former Madobe in Mogadishu, President Mohamud stressed that no one who has not been elected by the people can govern the Somali public.
“We have said it before, and I repeat it: the Somali people will not be governed by someone they did not elect,” the President said, noting that political legitimacy comes from the people’s vote and from the representatives they choose.
The President said Madobe was elected by the South West State assembly, while the House itself represents the region's residents. He noted that the public mandate given to those representatives was used to elect the state’s leadership.
The President’s remarks appears to defend the region’s presidential election, which has come under heavy criticm from opposition members.
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He cited several districts, including Afgooye, Barawe, Hudur, Baidoa and Dinsor, saying residents in those areas freely chose their representives through direct elections.
The President added that Somalia’s electoral system needs to be implemented at different levels, from district councils and state assemblies to the Federal Parliament.
The President’s remarks come as the federal government continues to push ahead with the implementation of a political party system and elections based on public representation.