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Galmudug is not only the geographical heart of Somalia, it is also the essence of the Somali nation. Galmudug represents all the major clan lineages in Somalia, including the Hawiye, Dir, Darood and Madibaan. No other Somali region or state has such a diverse, influential and extensive historical significance in Somalia clans as Galmudug. From an economic perspective, Galmudug is set to be the site of the first offshore oil and gas field to be worked on off the coast of Hobyo by 2024, in partnership with the Federal Government of Somalia and the Houston-based American company Coastline Exploration.
Likewise, the untapped uranium deposits in Galmudug are only awaiting final technical and commercial “profit-sharing agreements” before they can be mined. Despite its many positive attributes and opportunities, the state has not developed as it should since 2015. Instead, Galmudug continues to suffer from political divisions and insecurity. Despite overcoming factionalism in the war with the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah militia, Galmudug under President Ahmed Qoorqoor continues to suffer from large-scale and bloody tribal violence, resulting in the tragic deaths of hundreds of thousands of Galmudug nomadic herders and civilians. Furthermore, the insecurity faced by Galmudug has been exacerbated by the extremist Al-Shabaab network, whose own murderous and ruthless leadership currently holds the Ceelbuur district and previously occupied parts of the coastal communities of Ceeldheer and Harardheere.
On the positive side, despite tensions between the Galmudug clans, they remain the backbone of the Somali economy. For example, the owners of the Bakara market, real estate developers in Mogadishu and the owners of the main telecommunications and financial banks in Somalia, as well as key political and economic pillars including the former president and prime minister, are from the Galmudug region. Therefore, if Galmudug has the right political leadership and development agenda, there is no reason why it would not experience a sustained economic investment and real estate boom on par with Mogadishu and Nairobi.
On the negative side, the obstacles in Galmudug State stem directly from weak political leadership and inter-communal peace. Lack of political vision, corruption and short-sighted goals have weakened the security forces in Galmudug State, perpetuated corruption at all levels, including in the executive branch, and exacerbated the inter-communal violence and competition for pasture and water resources that have plagued the state for generations. The upcoming presidential election in Galmudug State is therefore the only opportunity to completely rebuild Galmudug State and put its diverse tribal communities on the path to true prosperity, inter-communal reconciliation and peace, and the desired social and economic development.
In this regard, Mahad Mohamed Salad is the only responsible leader who can lead the necessary changes to fully empower the Galmudug region. Mahad Salad was born and raised in the Dusamareb district, the capital of the Galmudug region, and was the former director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency. Mahad led successful counter-insurgency operations that destroyed Al-Shabaab and dismantled the extortion system in Mogadishu. He was also the first to draft and successfully lobby for the passage of the National Intelligence and Security Law. Mahad was the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somalia in 2014. In 2015, Mahad Salad served as the Minister of Presidential Affairs, where he reconciled the clans living in the Shirabo district of the Eastern Somali region of Ethiopia. Unsurprisingly, Mahad has been elected as a representative of the Galmudug region three times and serves as a member of the Federal Parliament of Somalia. Therefore, Mahad Salad is the only viable political force to guarantee the security, development and prosperity of Galmudug.
Unlike other so-called Somali politicians, Mahad Salad spent his formative years in the rural heartland of central Somalia and therefore is well aware of the deep tribal history, traditional character and concerns of the different tribes in Galmudug. Mahad Salad has used tribal customary law and history to ensure effective reconciliation, negotiated blood money settlement and wider conflict resolution in Galmudug.
On the regional and international front, Mahad Salad is aware of the different international agendas and geopolitical competitions among the major powers in Somalia. He maintains good relations with the United States, the UAE, Italy and the United Kingdom, Egypt, China and Turkey. Under Mahad Salad’s leadership, Galmudug will be shielded from the political conflicts and infighting in Somalia as Somalia will adopt a “zero problem” policy with its neighbors.
In terms of community level engagement, perhaps the most important aspect of security, Mahad Salad has earned widespread loyalty, respect and admiration, even from his political opponents, for ensuring accountability, results-based performance and inter-clan harmony. Mahad Salad is known for his direct command of security operations, combating threats to peace from clan militias, unscrupulous pirate gangs, religious fanatics, drug traffickers, youth gangs and members of Al-Shabaab. With his strong reputation in Somalia, Mahad Salad will maintain security, law and order in Galmudug with an iron fist against all threats, whether internal, external or ideological.
In short, once elected, President Mahad Salad will completely transform Galmudug State into an oasis of peace in Somalia, thereby kicking off an unprecedented economic boom that will impact all of Somalia and the rest of the Horn of Africa. Under President Mahad Salad’s leadership, the new Galmudug will work to begin the technological steps for onshore and offshore oil and gas hydrocarbon production; mine Somalia’s first commercial uranium mine, and begin construction of the Hobyo Port to accelerate the export of Galmudug’s abundant livestock.
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