News|ElectionsSomali capital holds first direct election in over five decadesAmid opposition boycotts, people in Mogadishu vote in the city’s first direct local polls since 1969.
Residents of Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, participated in local council elections for the first time in over 50 years. This event marks a significant development in the country's political landscape, despite being overshadowed by opposition boycotts.
Residents of Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, participated in local council elections for the first time in over 50 years. This event marks a significant development in the country's political landscape, despite being overshadowed by opposition boycotts.
Polling stations opened at 6am local time (03:00 GMT) on Thursday. Approximately 500,000 individuals registered to vote for 390 district council seats, with 1,605 candidates competing across 523 polling stations within the capital.
Authorities deployed nearly 10,000 police officers, implemented a city-wide lockdown, and restricted vehicle and pedestrian movement. Flights into the city's main airport were also halted to ensure security during the election period. Despite improved security, the government continues to contend with threats from the al-Qaeda-affiliated group, al-Shabab.
Information Minister Daud Aweis described the election as a "resurgence of democratic practices." Electoral commission chairman Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan assured voters of the security measures in place.
Residents of Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, participated in local council elections for the first time in over 50 years.
This election follows a long period without direct elections since 1969, preceding a military coup. The subsequent years involved civil unrest and the establishment of an indirect, clan-based electoral system in 2004. Current President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud aims to transition to universal suffrage at multiple levels.
Prominent opposition figures criticized the election proceedings, labeling them exclusionary. Two federal member states, Puntland and Jubbaland, rejected the election framework, with leaders threatening to conduct separate national elections. The government has invested significantly in this electoral process but faces challenges from both domestic opposition and international partners.
The election occurs amid ongoing security challenges, with al-Shabab conducting significant offensives. The UN Security Council renewed the mandate for the African Union peacekeeping mission, although it faces funding shortages. The United States ambassador to the UN expressed concerns over the security situation, indicating potential changes in funding and diplomatic presence.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
