In the heart of Mogadishu, within the Shangaani district, a cautious yet hopeful new chapter begins as Somalia embarks on a journey towards its first one-person, one-vote elections. This significant step is set against a backdrop of both hope and contention as the Federal Electoral Commission commences the voter registration process.

The Chairperson of the Commission, Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, who has a history of political involvement alongside President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, addressed this milestone, passionately declaring, “I am pleased to announce the official start of voter registration.”

The scene outside the registration site was bustling with anticipation. A site nestled within a government facility, it bore witness to long queues of eager citizens, a vivid tapestry of civil servants, soldiers, and government officials, some of whom are part of President Mohamud’s inner circle.

Among those at the forefront of this process was Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, currently serving as both Minister of Women and Human Rights Development and a Member of Parliament. With visible pride and determination, she became the first minister to register in her home district of Shangaani in the Banaadir region.

“This is a clear step forward, showing that our country is officially moving toward one-person, one-vote elections. History is being made, God willing. Somalia will succeed,” Al-Makhzoumi shared on Facebook, a sentiment that echoes the aspirations of many.

Al-Makhzoumi’s commitment is underscored by her close ties both personally and professionally, as she is married to Abdikarin Guled, a trusted ally of President Mohamud. Her advocacy reflects her belief in the potential for democratic progress.

This electoral endeavor unfolds amidst intense political strife. Some political factions view voter registration as a potential stratagem designed to extend President Mohamud’s tenure— a perspective fiercely contested by opposition groups and select federal member states.

Mohamed Ahmed Yabooh, Banadir’s Deputy Governor for Security, gave insights into the scale of this operation last week. While the initial plan was ambitious, encompassing 20 districts and 163 polling sites, only nine districts have the necessary preparations in place at this stage. “The rest will follow once they’re ready,” Yabooh reassured concerned citizens.

This registration phase is a direct consequence of recent constitutional amendments energized by the federal government—amendments that sparked the establishment of the new electoral commission. But this blueprint has met resistance. Puntland and Jubbaland, two influential federal states, alongside various opposition figures, have openly rejected these changes.

Consequently, the international community approaches the situation with caution, mindful of potential instability. Their hesitance to fully endorse the commission reflects broader worries that unresolved political fracturing could tip the scales into unrest. The National Consultative Council, once envisioned as a guiding body for these elections, lies dormant, its efficacy stymied by Puntland and Jubaland’s disqualification of the federal authority in Mogadishu.

As power dynamics continue to shift, fears mount among critics. Could these federal efforts to initiate voter registration signify a veiled attempt to secure an extended term in office for President Mohamud? With just a year remaining in his tenure, such questions loom large, casting doubt and sparking debate.

Somalia stands at a crossroads once more—an intersection of opportunity and challenge. How these electoral processes play out will invariably shape the narratives of governance and unity in the potential tip-toward democracy. Will the spirit of reform triumph over internal disputes?

One thing is certain: the journey towards a democratic future remains uncertain and intricate, but potentially transformative. The world watches, poised for the next chapter in Somalia’s long and complex history.