North Western State of Somalia elders approve more than two-year extension for parliament, councils
Mogadishu (AX) — North Western State of Somalia’s Guurti, the upper house of elders, has voted to extend the mandates of the local councils and the House of Representatives by 27 months, a decision that is expected to...
Tuesday April 28, 2026
Mogadishu (AX) — North Western State of Somalia’s Guurti, the upper house of elders, has voted to extend the mandates of the local councils and the House of Representatives by 27 months, a decision that is expected to intensify arguments over the region’s election timetable and political direction.
- Advertisement -
The measure passed on Tuesday with overwhelming support, as 71 of the 72 members present backed the extension. The move pushes the terms of the two institutions out by more than two years. Under North Western State of Somalia’s constitutional setup, the House of Elders is also expected to gain an indirect extension of 39 months.
The vote came after the National Electoral Commission announced in February that the joint elections for local councils and parliament, originally set for May 31, 2026, would be delayed. At the time, the commission said security concerns, technical limitations and drought-related difficulties were behind its request for a 10-month postponement.
Tuesday’s proceedings also drew scrutiny for the way they were handled. Independent media were blocked from entering the parliament building, especially the chamber where the vote was held, while only state-run outlets were permitted to report from inside. Press freedom advocates said the restrictions raised fresh concerns about transparency.
Reaction online was immediate and largely negative, with criticism spreading across social media. Many opponents of the extension say it threatens democratic credibility and could further erode public confidence in North Western State of Somalia’s institutions.
Political leaders remain split over the decision. Supporters argue the delay is unavoidable given the security and logistical pressures facing the electoral process. Critics, meanwhile, say the extension may complicate election planning and increase political tensions, potentially giving opposition groups more ground.
North Western State of Somalia, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not won broad international recognition, has conducted multiple elections over the years. Even so, repeated postponements and term extensions have often sparked disputes over legitimacy and governance.