Deputy PM Mahdi abused his power to be elected, a disgrace to Somali elections-MP Isse

Outgoing MP for Somaliland Hussein Arab Isse has accused the deputy prime minister Mahdi Guled of using his powers as a co-manager of the Somaliland electoral process to illegally secure election as an MP.

Speaking a day after the Dispute Resolution Committee suspended the declaration of Mahdi as duly elected, Isse said Mahdi was a ‘disgrace’ to Somalia and the election process.

He said Mahdi used his office and authority to secure clearance from the State Indirect Elections Team (SIET) despite being from a different sub-clan from the one for which the seat being contested belonged.

He also took issue with Mahdi’s female contended Mushtaq Yusuf.  Isse said her identity was a ‘mystery’ as she was covered, noting the electoral commission could not even produce her today if asked to since they did not know her identity.

A photo circulating online showed Mushtaq and Mahdi during the elections on November 1 generated debate among Somalis online who questioned her identity since her face could not be seen.

The Dispute Resolution is expected to issue its verdict on the disputed seat in five days.