Somalia vows to stick to one-person, one-vote plan amid stalled talks
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s government reaffirmed its push for a one-person, one-vote election after negotiations with the opposition-aligned Future Council ended without a deal, keeping uncertainty over the country’s electoral calendar.
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State Minister at the Foreign Ministry Ali Balcad said the government remains open to dialogue, technical compromises on how to conduct the vote, and broad national consultations. But he emphasized that the direction toward a direct popular ballot is “sacred” and non-negotiable.
“The process of Somalia’s democratization cannot be postponed indefinitely,” Balcad said, responding to a statement from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia that expressed disappointment over the lack of agreement but welcomed the parties’ commitment to continue talking.
The latest round of talks between federal officials and the Future Council closed without a timeline or consensus on the electoral framework. That absence of a roadmap has raised concerns about whether the country can complete the preparations required for a nationwide vote, including laws, logistics and security arrangements.
Somalia has long relied on a clan-based power-sharing system with indirect selection of lawmakers, a structure successive governments have pledged to replace with universal suffrage. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration has argued that a direct vote is central to deepening legitimacy and moving beyond elite bargaining. Opposition figures and some regional leaders have urged caution and demanded guarantees around rules, sequencing and oversight.
Balcad reiterated that the federal government will keep the door open to political engagement, stressing that disagreements should be resolved through talks rather than delay the transition. The Future Council, which brings together opposition-aligned voices, has pressed for clarity on core elements of any electoral model and how it would be implemented across federal member states.
UNSOM urged continued dialogue and compromise and said it would support a process that is inclusive and broadly accepted. Diplomats and civil society groups have likewise called for a consensus-based path to ensure the vote is credible and nationally owned.
Key issues still to be settled include:
- Timeline: A clear, achievable schedule for voter registration, campaigning and polling.
- Legal framework: Finalizing and harmonizing electoral laws with the provisional constitution.
- Voter roll: Systems for registration, identification and dispute resolution.
- Security: Coordination among federal and member state forces to safeguard voters and poll workers.
- Administration and oversight: Roles of federal institutions, member states and electoral bodies, alongside independent monitoring.
Analysts say Somalia’s move to universal suffrage hinges on aligning political will with technical readiness. That requires funding, trained personnel, civic education and secure access to polling sites in areas where state presence is still consolidating. Balcad’s comments signaled Mogadishu’s willingness to refine mechanics of the vote — as long as the end goal remains a direct ballot.
No new dates were announced following the talks, and neither side outlined a next meeting. The government’s insistence on a direct vote, paired with ongoing consultations, suggests more rounds of negotiations ahead as parties try to reconcile ambition with on-the-ground constraints.
For now, the electoral direction is set, but the path to get there — and the pace — remain the focus of Somalia’s political contest.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
