Opinion: Why I cry for my country Somalia

A host of former top leaders are seeking another chance in office including incumbent President Mohamud, former President Sheikh Sharriff Ahmed, and former Prime Ministers Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke, Mohammed Abdullahi Farmaajo and Ali Mohammed Gedi among others.PHOTO: COURTESY

Somalia will elect a new President on February 8 as the country strives to overcome its history of decades-old conflict. About 24 candidates have been cleared to run for the top post and their fate will be decided by 329 members of the Lower and Upper Houses who will elect the new President.

But the question dominating political discussions among Somalis is whether the legislators will heed the public’s heightened calls for reforms and elect a new reformist technocrat to steer the country’s destiny for the next four years.