Somalia not ready for one-person, one-vote, ex-President Sheikh Sharif warns
MOGADISHU — Former Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed says Somalia is not prepared for a genuine one-person, one-vote election, warning that the country’s security and future are at serious risk without a broad political agreement and practical groundwork.
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In an interview with the BBC Somali Service on Wednesday, Sheikh Sharif said the current push by the government for nationwide direct elections does not reflect realities on the ground and remains largely rhetorical. “One-person, one-vote elections are not achieved through rhetoric alone, they require laws, functioning parties, and reliable security,” he said.
Security stakes and state stability
The former president, who led the country from 2009 to 2012, said the security situation has reached a critical point and urged leaders to confront it with a unified, coherent plan. He cautioned that fears about the very survival of the state are growing and that without consensus and concrete steps, the trajectory of Somalia in the coming years is uncertain.
Sheikh Sharif argued that advancing a direct electoral model without first securing the legal framework, political-party readiness and a credible security environment risks deepening tensions. He said the process must be anchored in agreement among key political actors to ensure legitimacy and public trust.
Criticism of the electoral commission
Sheikh Sharif was sharply critical of the newly appointed electoral commission, calling it inconsistent and unrepresentative of the broader political landscape. “Technically, a consensus-based commission is needed, but one appointed by only one party does not inspire confidence,” he said.
He added that only one political group—particularly the one aligned with Villa Somalia—appears to have a visible hand in the electoral process. That imbalance, he said, undermines multiparty competition and the principles of democratic participation.
Call for a consensus framework
To avoid escalating confrontation between the government and the opposition, Sheikh Sharif urged authorities to establish an agreed-upon political framework that sets out the parameters for elections, including powers and responsibilities, timeline, security arrangements and dispute-resolution mechanisms. Such a pact, he said, is essential to safeguard the stability of the Somali state and to build confidence in any electoral timetable.
While he did not reject the goal of one-person, one-vote elections, Sheikh Sharif stressed that the path must be methodical and credible, starting with inclusive consultations and practical measures that demonstrate progress beyond political messaging.
Election timeline in Mogadishu
Local elections in Mogadishu are expected to begin at the end of December 2025. Sheikh Sharif’s remarks add pressure on authorities to show the process is anchored in law, broad political buy-in and adequate security—factors he says are still missing.
His warnings reflect persistent debates over how and when Somalia can transition to universal suffrage. For now, he says, the immediate imperative is de-escalation and consensus: build a representative commission, establish clear rules, strengthen security and ensure all major stakeholders have a genuine seat at the table.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
Wednesday December 10, 2025
