Mogadishu’s Voter Registration: A New Era or More of the Same?
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MOGADISHU, Somalia – Amidst the sandy winds and bustling streets of Mogadishu, a transformative yet contentious journey begins. As the capital of Somalia strides toward its first local elections in over half a century, the air is thick with anticipation and lingering questions. The call for voter registration has been sounded, sparking a mixture of hope and skepticism among its citizens and politicians alike.
The electoral body at the helm, an entity tangled in dispute, opened its doors to voter registration recently. This development unfolds in Banaadir’s heartland, a district cradling the memories of Mogadishu’s past. This region, teeming with over 3 million souls spread across 20 districts, now stands at the brink of an electoral awakening. But can an electoral committee, whose very legitimacy is contested, guide the city through this pivotal moment?
Reflecting on the challenges ahead, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s vision looms large: a future devoid of the clan-based 4.5 power-sharing framework. He dreams of a day when every ballot counts equally, a democratic endeavor set for 2026. Yet, is this vision attainable amidst the undertow of skepticism, fueled by the ever-present shadow of Al-Shabaab and the fractures of political discord?
Since 2000, Somalia has woven its political fabric from the threads of indirect elections. Lawmakers, chosen through opaque clan quotas, have wielded the power to select presidents—a process often criticized for marginalizing the unchosen and overlooking the voiceless. This impending shift to a one-person, one-vote system, if realized, promises to redefine Somalia’s democratic landscape. Yet, can this ambition withstand the gale of traditionalism and entrenched interests?
The question of integrity looms over the electoral committee’s origins. Critics argue it was born from a nexus of political favoritism, accusing President Mohamud of handpicking allies who might bend the electoral process to align with party ambitions. Is this committee, possibly a veneer for underlying biases, equipped to ensure fairness in an election poised on the edge of historical significance?
Imagine, for a moment, the impact of such skepticism on the everyday citizens of Mogadishu. The shopkeeper in Waberi district, the teacher in Hamar Jajab—each holds a tiny piece of the electoral puzzle. Their whispers and conversations shape the discourse, not just in council chambers but throughout alleys and cafes. One might recall the words of an elder statesman: “A vote is the fundamental bridge between the governed and the governing.” But what becomes of that bridge if its foundations are questioned?
In contrast, proponents of the current electoral setup argue for its potential to unearth democracy in a land scarred by conflict. They envision a day when the capital will echo with the footsteps of progress, heralded by elections that truly reflect the will of its people.
As the days inch toward June, the world watches. This voter registration marks a crossroads for Mogadishu. Will it herald the rise of a truly representative system, or will it unravel into another chapter of political tumult? Only time—and the resolve of the Somalian people—will tell.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring
