Why I cry for my country Somalia

Dr Ali Haji Warsame, Somalia presidential candidate. (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. This comes amid deep public frustrations over failure by current and past career politicians to fix security, runaway corruption, restore vital services and enhance good governance.