universal

Jowhar (AX) – On an ordinary Tuesday, the heart of Jowhar buzzed with unusual activity, as if aware that history was quietly being scripted within its folds. A delegation from Somalia's National Electoral Commission and Boundaries descended upon the city's worn, dusty streets, with an unmistakable sense of urgency that seemed to echo through the air. Their mission? A straightforward, yet monumental task—to meet with Hirshabelle President Ali Abdullahi Hussein Guudlawe. The gathering was a mere two days post a similar visit…

Somalia's Democratic Leap: The Road to One-Person, One-Vote Mogadishu (AX) — In the bustling corridors of Somalia's political heart, the visionary journey toward a one-person, one-vote electoral system is unfurling with vibrant ambition. On a crisp Monday morning, Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, the steely chairperson of Somalia’s Electoral Commission, engaged in earnest dialogue with the European Union Ambassador, Karin Johansson. Their tête-à-tête was a symphony of democratic dreams and international solidarity.…

Baidoa (AX) — On a bright Sunday, as the sun painted Baidoa with golden hues, a delegation from Somalia's National Electoral Commission and Boundaries made its entrance, heralding a new chapter in the nation’s electoral journey. They carried with them not just paperwork and plans, but a vision to breathe life into a cornerstone of democracy—a one-person, one-vote electoral system. Yusuf Abdulqadir Mohamed, a seasoned member of the commission with a passion for political revitalization, addressed the press with a determined…

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…

Mogadishu (AX) — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia has reiterated his administration’s dedication to implementing universal suffrage elections by 2026, despite resistance from two regional leaders and several notable politicians. During a speech in Mogadishu on Thursday, President Mohamud emphasized the necessity for Somalia to evolve towards direct elections, departing from a long history of indirect voting methods. “Having participated in indirect elections myself, both as a parliament member and as president on…

The Senegalese philosopher Souleymane Bachir Diagne published this year his autobiography, "Le fagot de ma mémoire". He develops his favorite themes, which range from postcolonial to critical thinking in Islam, including African philosophies. Since 2008, the author has taught at Columbia University in New York, where he heads the Institute of African Studies. Here is the second part of the column that Tirthankar Chanda dedicates to this…