MOGADISHU, Somalia — As the local council elections in Mogadishu approach, a growing unease has enveloped the city. Conversations echo with concerns about the voter registration process, casting shadows over what should ideally be a time of democratic engagement. Are these fears justified? Residents seem to think so, their voices rising above the din of daily life with tales of coercion and undue pressure.
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The story that unfolds here isn’t just a simple narrative of numbers and dates. The heart of the issue lies with the committee managing the registration process. Accusations fly thick and fast, targeting their lack of neutrality and transparency. A particularly sore point is the history of Abdikariin Ahmed Hassan, the committee’s chairman. Once a campaign manager for President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud during the 2022 elections, his past associations have led many to question the committee’s independence and impartiality.
Take a moment to imagine the bustling streets of Mogadishu, filled with the ubiquitous “bajaaj,” or motorcycle taxis. These drivers now tell a different story—one of being pulled off their routes, directed away from their livelihoods, and steered towards registration centers. It’s a scenario hard to envision in a flourishing democracy and raises poignant questions about personal freedom and voter autonomy. One wonders, in a process meant to be fair, who watches over these gatekeepers?
Yet, it’s not just the bajaaj drivers feeling this strain. Many residents and civil society organizations are voicing their apprehensions. They seek assurance from national leaders, a call for integrity and fairness that feels not just urgent but profoundly necessary. Can the essence of democracy be preserved if its foundation is shaky?
The timeline for these elections has been an ever-elusive target. Originally slated for this month, they’ve been postponed—a delay embroiled in political turmoil. Central to this turmoil is the presidency’s influence over the electoral commission’s formation and constitutional changes enacted without wide-ranging consultation. The political arena in Somalia, as dynamic as ever, calls for reflection. Does the breadth of consultation shape the depth of democracy?
The stakes in Mogadishu couldn’t be more profound. A city’s voice is at risk, an election’s credibility hangs by a thread. Individual stories of frustration weave a larger narrative that demands attention and action. As one resident poignantly remarked, “In democracy, there should be no forced hand but free choice.”
The resonance of these words is unmistakable—an echo for transparency, for the people’s ability to elect without compulsion. In a world where the intricacies of governance seem vast, it boils down to these fundamental rights. How often do we ponder the liberties we sometimes take for granted?
The unfolding narrative in Mogadishu serves as a reminder—a call to awareness and responsibility. As the world watches, how will we shape our collective future? Will the democratic process evolve to reflect the true voices of its participants?
