MOGADISHU — Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama has described the direct elections held in Galmudug as another important milestone in the country’s transition toward a one-person, one-vote electoral system.
Speaking after the polls, Jama said the Galmudug elections represent continued progress in efforts to move away from the previous indirect electoral model and establish a system where citizens directly choose their representatives.
The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted that the Galmudug vote follows earlier direct elections conducted in Banadir and Southwest State, which he said demonstrated Somalia’s gradual advancement toward broader democratic participation.
The Federal Government has identified the introduction of universal suffrage elections as a key political priority, aiming to strengthen public participation, improve representation, and build more accountable governance institutions.
The elections in Galmudug are part of ongoing national efforts to expand democratic processes while addressing political, security, and administrative challenges ahead of future nationwide elections.
Officials said the experience gained from regional-level direct elections will help inform preparations for Somalia’s broader electoral transition and strengthen cooperation between federal and regional authorities.
