Federal government says country entering ‘Inclusive Electoral Phase’

Monday March 23, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s next elections are now being pitched as a pivotal test of inclusion and public confidence, with the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation saying Sunday that the country is moving into an “inclusive electoral phase” and that the federal government intends to press ahead under national law.

In a press statement, the ministry described voting as a constitutional right for every Somali citizen and cast the election process as central to bolstering trust in government, improving transparency and ensuring that people can meaningfully take part in choosing the country’s leadership.

“The electoral process will be free and fair, based on the principles of democracy, accountability and the protection of citizens’ rights,” the statement said.

The ministry’s message arrives as federal leaders intensify efforts to roll out a “one person, one vote” system—an approach that would mark a major break from Somalia’s clan-based indirect model, which has defined previous elections.

Federal officials have presented universal suffrage as a landmark step toward strengthening democratic governance and rebuilding institutional legitimacy. But the shift has drawn firm resistance from Puntland State, Jubbaland and Southwest State, along with several opposition groups, all of whom say the country lacks the broad political agreement needed to settle the electoral framework.

Those critics argue that lingering disagreements—ranging from constitutional amendments to electoral laws and the balance of authority between Mogadishu and federal member states—could derail the practicality of holding a nationwide direct vote.

With influential regional actors rejecting the plan, questions remain over whether the federal government can conduct a one-person, one-vote election without their participation, and what such a move might mean for national cohesion.