MOGADISHU — Somali lawmaker Osman Haadoole has strongly criticised the country’s electoral process, blaming what he described as flawed regional elections for eroding public trust in democratic participation.
Speaking in remarks that quickly drew attention in local media, the MP said no individual could intimidate residents of the capital through violence, insisting that Mogadishu remains under firm security control.
“There is no one who can go into Mogadishu and threaten people with gunfire,” he said. “The city should not be feared — it belongs to its people.”
Haadoole directed particular criticism at South West State President Abdiaziz Laftagareen, accusing him of conducting a rushed and non-competitive election that undermined confidence in broader electoral processes.
“Public confidence in elections has been damaged,” he said, alleging that Laftagareen “re-elected himself in just a few hours,” a move he argued discouraged citizens from believing in the credibility of future one-person, one-vote elections.
Somalia has long struggled to transition from an indirect clan-based voting system to universal suffrage, with repeated delays attributed to political disagreements, security concerns and institutional weaknesses.
The MP’s remarks come at a time of renewed debate over electoral reforms and the feasibility of holding inclusive elections in a country still grappling with insecurity and political tensions between federal and regional authorities.
Analysts say disputes over regional electoral processes risk deepening mistrust among the public and political actors, potentially complicating efforts to establish a stable and transparent democratic system.
Despite the criticism, Haadoole called for calm and urged citizens not to lose confidence in the future of Mogadishu, stressing that stability in the capital is essential for the country’s overall progress.
“No one should fear this city,” he said. “It is safe, and it must remain a place where political participation is free and open.”
