Hiiraan Online
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Sheikh Mohamed Ahmed Noor who is based in Canada and who is also the founder of Al-Islaahi Islamic party urged all interest groups in Somalia’s murky politics to consider extending the term of the government by one year in order to pave way for democratic elections.
“The security situation does not allow free and fair elections in Somalia, there is the need to extend the term of the government to sort out security issues first” said Sheikh Noor
"You can seek political legitimacy from people who are in peace. But if you seek legitimacy from unstable community then it is like you don’t care about the needs of the Somali public” he said using a strong Somali metaphor to put across the message that the government needs to work to build the security situation first.
This latest introduction of religious voice into Somalia’s disputed election timeline is a major concern from the country’s top Islamic clerics who are viewing the extension of the interim period as but unavoidable for now.
Speaking to Voice of America (VOA) the religious leader accused Somali politicians of derailing efforts to snatch Somalia back from the jaws of a devastating decades-long conflict. He said the heated standoff between the interim institutions is a major factor that contributed to a political stalemate in Somalia trampling all efforts to pacify the country into the dust.
The cleric however hailed the need to organize elections within the country when the time comes; he however took issue with the current unfavorable election environment particularly in the capital Mogadishu which had witnessed an increased military activity over the past few years.
"It is a noble idea to organize elections in Mogadishu, but given the current situation there is seemingly no political settlement between concerned parties especially between the government and the parliament. I urge the creation of a caretaker government that can pave way for elections” he said
Since the beginning of the controversy surrounding the extension of the TFG, Somalia’s all-time important religious center of authority, has remained largely silent, leaving many to wonder when, or if, the nation’s senior religious leaders would jump into the controversy that has posed the most significant challenge to the country’s future.