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That presidential aspirants have a role to play is a truism. Getting beyond truisms means answering more important questions: how can we ensure that the elections are truly transformative; that the process is free, fair and transparent so that electors will choose their MPs, and MPs choose the President who (together with the MPs themselves) will govern the country for the next four years.

A statement by the Governor of Benadir region, who is also the Mayor of Mogadishu, Cumar Maxamuud Maxamad (Cumar Filish) captured on video yesterday afternoon in Mogadishu must be condemned in the strongest terms possible by all political, civic and religious leaders in our country. I would even go further to say that this gentleman must be sacked from his job as he has clearly violated the professional ethics and principles of neutrality that public servants are required to adhere to by our laws and the Constitution.

It is an honour to share some thoughts about Dr Aweys Omar Mohamoud's very important and liberating ideas for state-building, now that he has formally decided to put his name forward as a Candidate for President of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) in the up-coming elections.

To write this piece, I have read and considered the views contained in the following documents: 1) Faafin degdeg ah, 8 November 2020, the position and decision of 12 Presidential Candidates vis-à-vis their participation in the elections of 2020/2021; 2) the letter by the Speaker of the Upper House to the SRSG, Mr. James Swan, and the AU's SR, Mr. Francisco Madeira, dated 13 November 2020. I have also come across the views of various politicians, civil society leaders and ordinary citizens online, on the radio, and through social media.

Waxaa Sharaf weyn ii ah inaan idinla wadaago qaar ka mid ah afkaarta mugga weyn ee la xiriirta dib-u-dhiska qarannamida Soomaaliyeed ee uu wado Dr. Aweys Cumar Maxamuud, qaarkoodna uu horay usoo bandhigay, mar haddii uu go’aansaday inuu doorashada dhici doonta 2021 u tartamo xilka Madaxweynaha Jamhuuriyadda Federaalka Soomaaliya