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2009 Somali presidential election

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2009 Somali presidential election

← 2004 30 January 2009 2012 →
 
Candidate Sharif Sheikh Ahmed Maslah Mohammed Siad Barre
Party ARS
Electoral vote 293 126

President before election

Adan Mohamed Nuur Madobe
Independent

Elected President

Sharif Sheikh Ahmed
ARS

Indirect presidential elections were held in Somalia on 30 January 2009.[1] Due to the security situation in Baidoa, it was held in Djibouti. President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed won the election.

Background

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The election was necessitated following the resignation of President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed on 29 December 2008, over the dismissal of the government of Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein which was not approved by the Transitional Federal Parliament.[2] As such, the Speaker of Parliament Adan Mohamed Nuur Madobe shall act as interim President until the Parliament elects a new President based on the Transitional Federal Charter within 30 days.[3] Postponing the election until a new interim parliament, which would likely include moderate Islamist opposition, was considered,[4] but Interim President Aden Madobe stated that a new president would be selected within the constitutionally mandated 30-day period.[5] On 11 January 2009 African Union Peace and Security Commissioner Ramtane Lamamra announced that the election would take place on 26 January, with preparations including nominations of candidates commencing on 20 January.[6]

Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein announced on his candidacy 15 January 2009.[7] Other official candidates include MP Mohamed Afrah Qanyare (an ex-Mogadishu warlord), MP Hassan Abshir Farah (a former prime minister), Ali Mohammed Ghedi (also a former prime minister), Ali Khalif Galaid (another former prime minister) and Mohammed Said Hersi Morgan (an ex-Kismayo warlord); ARS Chairman Sharif Ahmed also stated he was a contender for the presidency.[8] In total, at least sixteen candidates have stated they want to become President; the PM and the ARS chairman are seen as the most likely contenders. Due to difficulties in picking the next president, the deadline was considered to be extended;[9] despite strong pressure from the international community, the original deadline of 28 January 2009 was extended by five days, meaning the election is to be held by 2 February 2009.[10]

As planned, the Transitional Federal Parliament was enlarged to include 200 representatives from the Islamist opposition and 75 representatives of citizens' groups and diaspora representatives; the former group was sworn in on 27 January 2009. The 275 existing MPs voted 211 to 6 in favour with 3 abstentions to enlarging the TFP.[11]

Candidates

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A total of fourteen candidates formally filed to stand in the election.[12] The candidates were:

Results

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There were three rounds of voting. The first round of voting reduced the field of candidates to six, the second to just two, with the winner decided in a run-off round.[12] As the first round of voting began, several candidates withdrew.[13] In the first round, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed got 215 votes, Maslah Mohamed Siad 60 and Nur Hassan Hussein 59; Hussein[14] and Ali Khalif Galaid then also withdrew.[15] All candidates except Siad and Sharif withdrew after the first round of voting; Sharif won the run-off with 293 to 126 votes.[16]

CandidateFirst roundSecond round
Votes%Votes%
Sharif Sheikh Ahmed21550.9529369.93
Maslah Mohammed Siad Barre6014.2212630.07
Nur Hassan Hussein5913.98
Ali Khalif Galaydh317.35
Mohamed Osman Aden255.92
Abdirahman Abdi Hussein102.37
Ahmed Hashi Mahmoud92.13
Awad Ahmed Ashareh51.18
Musa Mualim Yusuf40.95
Yusuf Azhari20.47
Ali Hashi Dhoore20.47
Total422100.00419100.00
Source: African Elections Database

References

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  1. ^ "Somali rivals to seek MPs' votes". BBC News. 2009-01-29. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  2. ^ "Somalia's president quits office". BBC News. 2008-12-29. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
  3. ^ "Somali President Yusuf resigns". Financial Times. Reuters. 2008-12-29. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
  4. ^ Sanders, Edmund (2008-12-30). "Somalia president resigns; new unity government seen". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
  5. ^ "Somalia's caretaker president says new leader to be named soon". People's Daily. 2009-01-02. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
  6. ^ "Somali MPs to vote January 26 for new president". Khaleej Times. Agence France-Presse. 2009-01-11. Archived from the original on 2009-02-06. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
  7. ^ "Islamists take bases in Mogadishu". BBC News. 2009-01-15. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  8. ^ "Somalia's presidential election to be held in Djibouti". Garowe Online. 2009-01-23. Archived from the original on 2009-02-06. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  9. ^ "Somalia may delay president vote". BBC News. 2009-01-26. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  10. ^ "Q&A: Somali presidential elections". BBC News. 2008-12-29. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  11. ^ Heinlein, Peter (2009-01-26). "Somali Parliament Approves Expansion Before Presidential Vote". VOA News. Archived from the original on 2009-01-31. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  12. ^ a b Clarke, David (2009-01-30). "FACTBOX-Somalia's presidential election". Reuters. Archived from the original on February 3, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  13. ^ Heinlein, Peter (2009-01-30). "African Leaders Await Outcome of Somalia Presidential Election". VOA News. Archived from the original on 2009-02-03. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  14. ^ Clarke, David (2009-01-30). "Islamist looks set to be new Somali president". Reuters. Archived from the original on February 6, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  15. ^ "Somalia: PM withdraws, Islamist leader to win presidency". Jimma Times. 2009-01-30. Archived from the original on 2009-02-06. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  16. ^ Clarke, David (2009-01-31). "Islamist leader sworn in as Somali president". Reuters. Archived from the original on February 6, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-01.