Somalia embraces popular vote ahead 2025 polls

The top political leaders of Somalia have reached a pivotal agreement to transition the country from its long-standing clan-based power-sharing system to a democratic framework, allowing citizens the right to elect their leaders through a ballot.

On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, Villa Somalia announced the conclusion of the National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting, which resulted in a joint communiqué stating that direct local elections are scheduled for June 2025, followed by regional parliamentary and leadership elections in September 2025.

Originally, the country was set to hold local indirect elections in June 2024 and parliamentary elections in November 2024, but the timetable has now been postponed. It remains uncertain whether this new electoral framework can be implemented as planned.

The NCC emphasised the necessity of fair elections rooted in a multi-party system, enabling Somali citizens to elect their representatives directly. It was agreed that legislation regarding elections, the multi-party system, electoral commissions, and boundaries must be urgently presented to the federal parliament.

Additionally, federal and three regional state leaders called on the cabinet to finalize the establishment of the Independent National Commission for Elections and Boundaries. They underscored the importance of this commission in generating a detailed timeline to ensure a smooth electoral process in accordance with national laws.

The meeting was attended by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama, Mogadishu Mayor Yussuf Hussein Jimale, and the regional presidents of Hirshabelle, Southwest, and Galmudug.

Since his re-election in 2022, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been steering the country toward a direct electoral framework, emphasizing the significance of this shift. Earlier this year, the bicameral parliament of the Federal Government of Somalia made substantial progress by unanimously approving several long-contentious constitutional amendments.

On March 30, 2024, Speaker of the Parliament Sheikh Adan Mohamed Noor led a session with participation from 254 members of both the Upper House and the House of the People.

The voting was historic, as both chambers voted separately, with each chamber securing the required majority. In the 54-member Upper House, 42 MPs participated, all voting in favor, surpassing the two-thirds majority of 36 votes needed for approval. Similarly, in the 275-member House of the People, 212 MPs unanimously endorsed the first four chapters of the proposed amendments.

Among the amendments, Article 49 received particular attention, stipulating that citizens will directly elect the President, who will not only appoint but also have the authority to dismiss the Prime Minister.

Previously, while the President could appoint the Prime Minister, he lacked the power to remove him—this authority rested exclusively with parliament through a vote of no confidence.

Additionally, last year, the President and federal state leaders, excluding Puntland, proposed a presidential system enabling the direct election of both a President and a Vice President.

Another significant amendment involved Article 54(2), which now establishes three national political parties, affirming that parliament possesses full authority over the amendment process. This change notably rejects an earlier proposal from the President and federal member states that limited national political parties to just two.

In March 2023, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared the intent to conduct the next national elections based on universal suffrage, moving away from the clan-based indirect voting system that has often led to crises in Somalia.

“The next election... God willing... will be one-person-one-vote that is based on a political party system,” he stated during a meeting with legislators at his palace in Mogadishu, highlighting the importance of political party platforms as a marketplace for political ideas.

On October 16, 2024, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre attended a presentation detailing the performance of the Banadir Region administration for 2023-2024. During this event, he underlined significant achievements in security, infrastructure development, and social services over the past two years.

He also addressed key issues concerning the upcoming elections, reaffirming his government's commitment to enabling the citizens of Mogadishu to elect their own administration through a "one person, one vote" model. He emphasized that the Banadir Region would be the first to implement this direct election system, urging the public to prepare for this important political transition.

“The people should be ready for it,” he asserted, underscoring the vital role of civic engagement in the electoral process.

Although achieving the principle of "one person, one vote" faces numerous challenges and obstacles, President Hassan Sheikh has demonstrated a strong commitment to its implementation.

This commitment is evidenced by several key initiatives he has undertaken, including the successful completion of the constitution—a task his predecessors were unable to accomplish—and the establishment of election commissions that involve the participation of the entire Somali community in the decision-making process.