Somalia held historic local elections in Mogadishu — the first by universal suffrage in nearly 60 years — under strict security measures, with more than 10,000 personnel deployed and the main airport briefly closed. Long lines formed as many voters, including first-timers, queued for hours to cast ballots in Banadir, where over 1,600 candidates competed for 390 council seats. The vote tests President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's push for direct voting amid opposition boycotts and accusations of centralisation, while analysts warn of limited civilian participation and rising political tension ahead of 2026 elections.
Mogadishu Votes in Historic First Universal Local Elections in Nearly 60 Years Amid Tight Security
Nearly 400,000 voters will be transported in buses to polling stations, says the electoral body (Eden EZRA)(Eden EZRA/AFP/AFP)
Somalis turned out in large numbers on Thursday to participate in local elections in Mogadishu — the first held by universal suffrage in almost six decades — as the capital was placed under heavy security restrictions.
High Turnout and Voter Sentiment
Early reports from an AFP correspondent described long queues outside multiple polling stations, with many voters anxious and excited to cast ballots after years without direct voting. First-time voters expressed pride at taking part: Guhad Ali, 37, showed his ink-stained finger as proof he had voted, while 29-year-old mother Shamso Ahmed said she did not mind the hours spent queuing.
"This is the future of the Somali people," President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said after voting, urging citizens to "take the path of democracy."
Security and Logistics
Authorities deployed more than 10,000 security personnel across Mogadishu for election day amid persistent threats from Islamist militants and rising instability this year. The electoral commission announced movement restrictions for the day, and the civil aviation authority temporarily closed the country's main airport to limit risks and ensure security around polling.
Numbers and Scope
The electoral body reported that over 500,000 people had collected voting cards ahead of the polls. More than 1,600 candidates contested 390 local council seats in the Banadir region, which includes Mogadishu.
Political Tensions and Criticism
Key opposition parties boycotted the vote, accusing the federal government of conducting "unilateral election processes" that could centralize power in Mogadishu. Several federal member states have voiced similar concerns.
Security analyst Samira Gaid warned the process appeared "stage-managed," arguing it relied heavily on government and security forces and saying voter registration had been problematic. The International Crisis Group cautioned that rising tensions echo the 2021 political crisis that followed missed election deadlines under former president Mohamed Abdullahi "Farmajo."
Why It Matters
Observers see Thursday's local vote as both a symbolic milestone and a rehearsal for the presidential election scheduled for 2026, when President Mohamud's term expires. With parliament's mandate also due to expire in April 2026, the political calendar raises the stakes for how national elections will be organized — and whether opposition groups and some federal member states might pursue parallel processes if no consensus emerges.
Context: Somalia has battled Al-Shabaab militants for many years. Security has deteriorated in 2025, with the group regaining control of several towns and reversing gains from the 2022–2023 campaign.
What To Watch Next
- Official turnout figures and independent verification of the vote.
- Reactions from opposition parties and federal member states in the days following the election.
- How the vote influences negotiations and preparations for the 2026 parliamentary and presidential polls.
