- Dr. Ali who spent 19 years in Kenyan Dadaab refugee camps before moving to the United States is seeking to unseat Somalia’s Jubaland president Ahmed Madobe in the coming election in the shaky region.
- The businessman turned politician, from Portland, Maine, has announced his candidacy for the presidency of the Jubaland administration for the 2024-2028 term.
Image: HANDOUT
A former refugee is seeking to unseat Somalia’s Jubaland president Ahmed Madobe in the coming election.
Dr. Ali who spent 19 years in Kenyan Dadaab refugee camps before moving to the United States is seeking to unseat Somalia’s Jubaland president Ahmed Madobe in the coming election in the shaky region.
The businessman turned politician, from Portland, Maine, has announced his candidacy for the presidency of the Jubaland administration for the 2024-2028 term.
He is the founder and CEO of Gateway Community Services running to serve as president for the first time.
Dr. Ali is also the Founder and former Executive Director of Nurture All Africa, a non-profit organization with offices in the US, Kenya and Somalia.
Dr Ali wants Kenya to pay attention to the political developments in Jubaland and support change.
“A change in political leadership will ensure a stable Somalia and the region at large. Poor leadership is the cause of insecurity, in particular from al-Shabaab in the region,” he said.
Ali camped in Nairobi to meet different groups to push for his campaign.
Ali emphasised his commitment to significant and early changes for the region.
He promises stability and willingness to tackle problems facing Jubaland if elected as the next president.
It is not clear when the polls will be conducted but he says the time is up for the current administration.
Jubaland borders Kenya along the Kenya-Mandera-Wajir-Garissa and Lamu border and Ethiopia on the other side.
It was seen as a possible buffer zone against al Shabaab insurgency especially in Kenya when Madobe came to power, but the gang continued to breach the border and conduct attacks in Kenya.
In 2021, Ali returned to Jubaland after years abroad, and what he encountered was a sobering reminder of the challenges his homeland faces.
"The poverty was overwhelming, and this is linked to poor governance,” he said.
He believes creating economic opportunities for the locals, improved healthcare and educational infrastructure would help defeat Alshabab’s agenda.
He argued the federal government of Somalia also needs to support regime change in Jubaland for the sake of stability.
“Somalia has now joined the East Africa Community and hence must ensure there is stability in the region starting with its own soil. This will be achieved through change which we will ensure comes with a better life.”
Running for president in Jubaland is no small feat, particularly due to the entrenched power of Madobe.
Madobe has been in power since 2013 and has recently secured the ability to run for an unprecedented third term through constitutional amendments, which abolished term limits.
Opposition groups including Dr. Ali call this move unconstitutional arguing that “the local parliament has no mandate to amend the constitution since their term ended a year ago”.
Just like many other regions in Somalia, Jubaland suffers from political instability, where elections often lack the democratic integrity seen in the West.
His campaign focuses on three key areas which include defeating al-Shabaab—which controls large swathes of rural Jubaland, promoting government transparency and accountability, and revitalizing Jubaland's economy and infrastructure.
Ali's campaign slogan, "The Light of Jubaland for the Future," reflects his vision for the region.
He has launched a campaign website, draali4jubaland.com where he outlines his mission to lead Jubaland with integrity, inclusiveness, and a commitment to justice.
He aims to empower citizens, foster unity, and build a resilient society through efficient governance, strong security, and sustainable development.
"I am not a stranger to Jubaland. I have extensive knowledge of all aspects of life there, having lived both in the countryside and the city. I understand the needs of the community and where improvements are necessary. My goal is not to replace an individual but to fix a system."
He says he enjoys a huge support on the ground including “among traditional leaders and Jubaland security forces”.
Ali settled in the US state of Maine as a refugee nearly 20 years ago and says he wants to improve conditions for the next generation in Somalia.
Ali was forced to flee the violence in Somalia in the early 1990s that erupted with the onset of the civil war.
He sought refuge in a camp in Kenya, where, despite the hardship, he managed to enroll at the University of Nairobi to study sociology and public administration.
By the time he reached his 30s, Ali and his brother and sister were resettled in Lewiston, Maine, through a United Nations program.
Once in the U.S., Ali thrived. He earned multiple degrees, including a doctorate, and established business as well as non-profit organizations.
Ali officially launches his campaign in Nairobi and diaspora this week ahead of major activities to push for the polls.