By Goth Mohamed Goth
Mogadishu, 15 May 2026 โ The Federal Government of Somalia has announced that it will proceed with a nationwide one-person, one-vote election, declaring that the country has entered a transition toward a fully democratic system based on universal suffrage.
In an official press release, the government said it is fulfilling its constitutional obligation to grant Somali citizens their right to elect and be elected. The statement noted that continuous consultations have been held with electoral stakeholders and civil society to gather input.
Over the past three days, the government engaged some opposition members in dialogue. However, the press release said those opposition figures brought forward views that contradict the fundamental right of every citizen to vote and stand for election.
โThe Federal Government of Somalia informs the Somali people that a free, fair, and transparent one-person, one-vote election will take place in the country, in full compliance with the Constitution, national laws, and the political programme set out by the government,โ the statement read.
Despite the deadlock with regional presidents and opposition leaders, the government reiterated that the door to dialogue and consultation remains open.
BACKGROUND โ Stalemate Over Electoral Consensus
Efforts by Somaliaโs Federal Government to reach a broad political consensus on the upcoming one-person, one-vote election have hit an impasse. Regional state leaders and key opposition figures have repeatedly clashed with the federal authorities over the timing, security arrangements, and power-sharing formulas. While the government insists on a direct universal suffrage model as mandated by the constitution, several federal member states have called for a hybrid system to ensure clan representation. Multiple rounds of talks mediated by international partners have failed to produce a unified roadmap, deepening the political divide ahead of the planned vote.
