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But for many, handing power to elders to choose preferred candidates limits choice and, some fear, could lead to conflict between clans.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026#13;\n\t\u201cThis concept of \u2018negotiated democracy\u2019 that is being propagated in Mandera by clan elders deprives voters of the right to choose their preferred candidates,\u201d a human rights activist from Mandera told Human Rights Watch recently.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026#13;\n\tAs the August election nears, the region\u2019s insecurity limits scrutiny from either domestic or international election observers in Mandera, home predominantly to members of Kenya\u2019s Somali community. Attacks by the armed Islamist group Al-Shabab \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.capitalfm.co.ke\/news\/2017\/05\/five-cops-dead-after-ied-attack-on-mandera-governor-robas-convoy\/\u0022\u003Ehave increased\u003C\/a\u003E. Authorities have \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/report\/2012\/05\/04\/criminal-reprisals\/kenyan-police-and-military-abuses-against-ethnic-somalis\u0022\u003Eoften responded\u003C\/a\u003E to such attacks \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/report\/2016\/07\/20\/deaths-and-disappearances\/abuses-counterterrorism-operations-nairobi-and\u0022\u003Ewith abusive law enforcement operations\u003C\/a\u003E leaving the community victimized by both Al-Shabab and government forces.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026#13;\n\tAfter negotiations in 2016, the elders of the Garre clan \u2013 the single largest clan in Mandera which also occupies most of the county elective positions \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.the-star.co.ke\/news\/2016\/10\/18\/garre-council-of-elders-lists-2017-hopefuls_c1439227\u0022\u003Edirected\u003C\/a\u003E all its current elected leaders from Mandera county not to seek reelection in the 2017 polls. The elders endorsed new candidates to replace them, leaving only a few slots to smaller clans. The council of elders \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.standardmedia.co.ke\/ureport\/story\/2000216519\/negotiated-democracy-in-mandera-is-the-concept-dead-before-it-even-starts\u0022\u003Eargue\u003C\/a\u003E rotating the elective posts between their different sub-clans brings fairness and is a way of ensuring peace and unity among Garre sub-clans.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026#13;\n\tThis process of pre-selection by the elders is dubbed \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/counties\/mandera\/Mandera-negotiated-democracy\/1183298-3939586-48ud2w\/index.html\u0022\u003Enegotiated democracy\u003C\/a\u003E.\u201d Some of the other clans have followed suit and endorsed candidates for the remaining elective seats.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026#13;\n\tInternational human rights law guarantees the right of individuals to vote and be elected at genuine periodic elections based on equal suffrage that guarantees the free expression of the will of the electors. It also promotes the access on general terms of equality to public service.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026#13;\n\tThe idea of \u2018negotiated democracy\u2019 tends to work against the inclusion of marginalized clans into the political matrix and limits the ability of individuals in Mandera to choose their preferred candidates. And, due to the massive influence the clan elders have in the society, it makes it very hard for the unselected candidates to compete.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026#13;\n\tBut the most obvious flaw here is that the council of elders are all men \u2013 meaning all decisions regarding candidates to support exclude the views of women. \u201cIt is only men sitting at the table negotiating how to promote their fellow men, and how to marginalize women from this county. This is against the spirit of equality and fair representation, it is unacceptable,\u201d Sadia, a gender activist from Mandera told us.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026#13;\n\tMandera has a history of \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/news\/Mandera-Clan-Conflict-Degodia-Garre\/1056-2432030-xd4pckz\/index.html\u0022\u003Einterclan conflict\u003C\/a\u003E. Some residents are worried with the current \u2018negotiated democracy\u2019 in place, tension between clans could resurface in the upcoming elections, especially in Mandera north constituency.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026#13;\n\tThe government should protect people in Mandera from attacks, ensure that the security forces operate lawfully, and deliver free and fair elections. The government should also ensure everyone can vote freely without fear, and that anyone interested in running for office can participate \u2013 even without the approval of the clans.\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n\u003C\/div\u003E\n","settings":null}]