Presidential candidates focus on AMISOM withdrawal, SNA empowerment and corruption as first batch presents manifesto to parliament
Seven presidential candidates on Thursday presented their manifesto before the 275 Mps and 54 senators ahead of the February 8 polls.
Incumbent President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed were among the seven. Others candidates were Zakariya Mahamud Abdi Haji Bashir Rage Shirar , Jibril Ibrahim Abdulle , Said Abdullahi Deni and Said Isa Mahamud.
As expected their number one priority in their manifesto was security with all seeking for the exit of Amisom and improvement of Soldiers and police welfare.
“In the first three years I will be in office I will come up with an exit strategy for Amisom troops but at the same time plan on how to empower the Somalia National Army and train them. I will ensure they get paid on the first day of the month without delay ” Sharif Said also promising to bring radical changes in the judiciary.
“It is quite unfair that our soldiers are getting 100 dollars a month while their counterparts in Amisom are receiving 1500 dollars a month” Said Isa Mahamud who pledged better salaries told Mps.
“Somali Police have not received salaries for months now and go around begging for money on the streets. We are fed up of this” candidate Jibril Ibrahim said pledging a government that will push for reconciliation.
Incumbent Mohamud pledged to improve the condition of Somalia,s police and soldiers adding it would fight corruption head on against corruption.
“ I seek to improve the economic sector and finalize the constitution” Mohamud said.
17 other candidates are to appear before Parliament on February 4 and 5.
23 presidential candidates will be seeking to unseat incumbent Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.