Somali President reaffirms commitment to universal suffrage elections in 2026

Source: Hiiraan Online, Saturday November 2, 2024

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to holding universal suffrage elections by 2026 despite opposition from two regional state leaders and prominent politicians.

Speaking in Mogadishu on Thursday, President Mohamud highlighted the need for Somalia to transition to direct elections, marking a shift from the longstanding practice of indirect elections.

“No one understands indirect elections better than me. I’ve been elected as both a member of parliament and president twice through indirect elections. We’ve been holding these types of elections for 24 years, but we’re moving forward—we won’t go back,” said President Mohamud.

The National Consultative Council (NCC) agreement endorsed Wednesday by President Mohamud, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, Mogadishu mayor and three regional leaders, established a roadmap for elections, with local, regional, and municipal elections set for June 2025 and parliamentary and presidential elections in September 2025. The NCC also called for creating a National Independent Electoral Commission to oversee the electoral process.

Despite recent electoral reforms, including a bill passed in March to reintroduce universal suffrage, prominent figures remain critical. Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni and Jubbaland’s Ahmed Madobe have voiced public opposition to the NCC’s timeline.

Former Presidents Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo have also disapproved of the NCC’s decisions, citing concerns over election timelines and governance.