Kismayo (WDN) – Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madobe) has taken a sharp jab at Somalia’s National Electoral Commission, calling it a “shady backroom deal” rather than a legitimate institution. In a fiery interview with Abdijalil Show, Madobe didn’t hold back, ridiculing the electoral process championed by Villa Somalia, which he claims is less about democracy and more about power consolidation.

“This so-called Independent Electoral Commission? More like Villa Somalia’s personal fan club,” Madobe quipped. “It was handpicked from Abdalle Shideye’s circle. Even the members know they have no legal standing—they’re just there for the paycheck.”

The Jubaland leader, known for his blunt humor, also took aim at Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, suggesting that he has turned into a company employee rather than a national leader. “Hamza isn’t leading anything; he’s just another executive in Hassan Sheikh’s corporate empire, where the business model is ‘power first, country second.’”

Madobe’s remarks come as Villa Somalia aggressively pushes for a one-person, one-vote election—an initiative that Puntland and various opposition groups see as yet another political ploy. “They want to run an election? Maybe they should start by convincing people that the votes will count, instead of treating us all like extras in their political soap opera,” he joked.

With tensions escalating, Somalia’s electoral saga is beginning to resemble more of a tragicomedy than a democratic process. And in the words of Ahmed Madobe, “If you’re looking for fairness in this election, you might as well search for snow in the Somali desert.”

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