MOGADISHU — Presidents of several Somali federal member states on Thursday praised the peaceful conduct of direct elections in Mogadishu, calling the vote for the Banadir Regional Council a historic milestone and a major step toward democratic governance in the country.
The leaders of Galmudug, Hirshabelle, the Northeastern Somali Administration and South West State congratulated residents of the capital for participating in the one-person, one-vote election, the first such exercise in decades. In separate statements, the presidents — all members of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s Justice and Solidarity Party — described the vote as a national achievement and a victory for the Somali people.
Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kariye, known as Qoorqoor, commended President Mohamud for what he described as decisive leadership that ensured the elections were held peacefully and successfully.
Hirshabelle President Ali Abdullahi Hussein, also known as Guudlaawe, congratulated President Mohamud, the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, the Banadir Regional Administration and the people of Mogadishu. He said the election marked a new chapter in governance led by the residents of the Banadir region and praised security forces for maintaining stability throughout the voting process.
South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen also welcomed the outcome, saying the peaceful, transparent and responsible participation of voters reflected growing political maturity. He described the election as a historic step toward a system of governance grounded in the will of the people, citing strong voter turnout as evidence of public commitment to democratic participation.
Opposition groups, however, boycotted the elections, labeling the process non-transparent and accusing President Mohamud of using it to advance a political agenda aimed at extending his term in office. The federal government has rejected those claims, maintaining that the vote was conducted in line with constitutional and legal frameworks.
Somalia last held direct elections in 1969, excluding the semi-autonomous Puntland region and the self-declared independent Somaliland, months before a military coup led by Mohamed Siad Barre. Following the collapse of his regime in 1991 and years of civil war, Somalia adopted an indirect, clan-based electoral system in 2004 amid persistent insecurity.
The Mogadishu vote is widely seen as a test case for expanding direct elections nationwide, as Somalia seeks to transition toward a more inclusive and representative democratic system.
