By HAN News Desk
MOGADISHU — Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud cast his ballot Thursday at the National Theatre polling station in Mogadishu, joining citizens participating in the historic local council elections.
Speaking to reporters at the site, President Hassan Sheikh said, “We have turned a page in our history. Today, we step onto a new path for a peaceful and democratic Somalia, where citizens choose their leadership directly.”
The vote, the first one-person, one-vote election in Mogadishu in more than 50 years, comes amid opposition criticism. Somali opposition parties announced Thursday that they would boycott the elections, calling them politically unagreed and lacking inclusivity.
President Hassan Sheikh emphasized that the election represents a new beginning for Somalia’s democratic journey. “This is the future of Somalia, both for those in opposition and in support. Today, the country has embarked on a new path,” he said.
