elections

MOGADISHU, Somalia - In the midst of Somalia's tumultuous journey towards stability, accusations have once again surfaced against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, suggesting he has taken liberties with the nation’s constitutional framework. But what does this mean for a country already grappling with political unrest? The criticism comes from a coalition of opposition parties and civil society groups, claiming the president has stretched the constitutional boundaries too thin. "Somalia is on a precipice," they warn,…

Mogadishu (AX) – In a recent crackdown on swirling rumors, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) made it crystal clear that the freshly-minted national ID cards have absolutely zilch to do with Somalia's forthcoming nationwide elections using the one-person, one-vote principle. In a direct tête-à-tête with BBC Somali on a sun-drenched Sunday, NIRA’s head honcho, Abdiwali Ali Abdulle Timacade, set the record straight, emphasizing that this ambitious ID card initiative is all about offering a timeless…

Mogadishu (AX) – With a voice as commanding as a ship's captain braving a storm, former Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed issued a stern warning to the federal government this past Friday. At the heart of his concern? A looming political quagmire: unilateral elections. Picture this: a nation split at the seams, fraying edges evident unless sanity prevails through dialogue, something sorely lacking in today's discourse. Once upon a headline, Sheikh Sharif, now helming the Himilo Qaran Party, stepped into the fray…

Sure, let's breathe some life into this story. --- Mogadishu (AX) – In a fiery broadside against the Somali federal government's current policies, the former President, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, didn't mince words. Emerging from political hibernation, Ahmed, who holds the reins of the Himilo Qaran Party, orchestrated a press conference in Mogadishu on Tuesday that left no stone unturned in its critique. He cut straight to the chase, lambasting the government for its handling of politics, security, constitutional tweaks,…

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia is on the brink of a momentous shift towards a more democratic future, but not everyone seems to be on the same page. On a sunlit Tuesday in Mogadishu, three prominent figures from Somalia's political opposition gathered to voice their concerns. Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, MP Abdirahman Abdishakur, and Senator Prof. Abdi Ismail Samatar were up in arms over what they perceive as a bungled electoral process. Enter Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, who approached their criticism like a…

Foreign Minister: Somalia’s Resolution for Direct Voting Can't Be Halted MOGADISHU, Somalia - Amid turbulent skies of contested legislation, Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi has declared that Somalia is on an inevitable path towards direct elections. This new approach aims to enhance democratic rights, allowing citizens to have a definitive say in their leadership choices. Echoing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s views, Fiqi passionately reiterated on Saturday Somalia’s full-throttle drive towards democracy with…

In the vibrant yet tumultuous political landscape of Kismayo, the Jubbaland Electoral and Boundaries Commission has rolled out the timeline for both parliamentary and presidential elections. This move has amplified the friction between Jubbaland and Somalia's federal government concerning election processes. It's the sort of political drama that keeps the nation on the edge of its seat. The Commission, in their Saturday communique, highlighted key dates. Mark your calendars, folks: November 18–19 will see the unveiling of…

This weekend, a significant face-off is set to take place in Senegal’s parliamentary elections, pitting former President Macky Sall against Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Both leaders are at the helm of separate coalitions, each vying for control of the parliamentary majority. Expecting a turnout of over seven million voters, Senegalese citizens will cast their ballots for new members of Parliament. This election comes on the heels of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's decision to dissolve the previous Parliament, which he…

In Chad, a chorus of women leaders and activists has brought attention to a significant issue: the glaring scarcity of female candidates in the upcoming legislative, local, and district elections set for December 29. These elections are crucial as they signify the culmination of a transition journey from military to civilian governance. This shift kicked off when General Mahamat Idriss Deby took helm after the passing of his father, the long-serving President Idriss Deby Itno, in 2021. Ahmed Bartchiret, the head of…

Tragic news has emerged from Mozambique, where police reportedly opened fire, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals during a demonstration in Namicopo—a densely populated area in Nampula province. This grim incident has pushed the total number of fatalities attributed to police actions to nearly 50, following a series of protests that ignited on October 21, 2024. The turmoil in Mozambique shows no signs of abating, especially in the wake of recent electoral disputes. Venancio Mondlane, the leader of the opposition…