Mogadishu (AX) — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia has reiterated his administration’s dedication to implementing universal suffrage elections by 2026, despite resistance from two regional leaders and several notable politicians.
During a speech in Mogadishu on Thursday, President Mohamud emphasized the necessity for Somalia to evolve towards direct elections, departing from a long history of indirect voting methods. “Having participated in indirect elections myself, both as a parliament member and as president on two occasions, I know this system all too well. We’ve been stuck in this rut for 24 years, but we’re determined to progress—we will not regress,” affirmed President Mohamud.
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The National Consultative Council (NCC), a recent agreement backed by President Mohamud, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, the mayor of Mogadishu, and three regional leaders, has laid out a framework for the electoral process. Local, regional, and municipal elections are slated for June 2025, while parliamentary and presidential elections are expected in September 2025. Furthermore, the NCC proposed the establishment of a National Independent Electoral Commission to supervise the electoral activities.
Even with recent electoral advancements, including a March bill aimed at reintroducing universal suffrage, some influential figures are vocally critical. Northeastern State’s President Said Abdullahi Deni and Jubbaland’s Ahmed Madobe have publicly expressed their discontent with the NCC’s proposed timeline.
Additionally, former Presidents Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo have voiced their disapproval of the NCC’s decisions, raising alarms about election schedules and governance issues.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
