President Mohamud opens Mogadishu road, reiterates support for one-person-one-vote elections

Sunday March 29, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Saturday cut the ribbon on a newly rebuilt stretch of road connecting Mogadishu’s Dabka and Bakaara intersections, a flagship project carried out by the Benadir Regional Administration.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mohamud cast the project as a visible sign of the capital’s recovery and of broader gains in security, governance, and economic life.

“The reconstruction of this road reflects the revival and visible progress of the capital, particularly in the areas of security, democracy, and economic infrastructure,” President Mohamud said during the inauguration ceremony.

He praised the Benadir Regional Administration for completing the work, calling it a milestone in directing tax revenue back into public services and much-needed urban development.

The president also used the occasion to renew his push for universal suffrage, saying his government remains committed to moving Somalia toward a one-person, one-vote system.

“Our goal is to regulate politics and return power to the people. It is not possible for an individual or a few individuals to decide the fate of millions of Somalis,” he said. “An election is one person and one vote, so be prepared.”

The electoral reform plan remains deeply divisive. Puntland State, Jubbaland, and Southwest states, along with prominent opposition figures, have rejected the federal government’s proposal, pointing to security concerns, the absence of political consensus, and the unpreparedness of political parties.

Although government and opposition leaders have held multiple rounds of talks, they have yet to reach a comprehensive deal. The stalemate comes as President Mohamud’s official term is due to end in less than a month.

Mohamud also called on Somali business leaders to channel investment into productive areas such as agriculture and industry, arguing that domestic capital is crucial to building economic resilience, creating jobs, and cutting reliance on imports. He said local investment is a key pillar of long-term development and food security.