Clarion Newschannel Africa Report – December 27, 2025
In a landmark moment for Somali democracy, residents of Mogadishu turned out on December 25, 2025, to participate in the capital’s first one-person, one-vote municipal elections since 1969 – marking a crucial step toward restoring direct national polls after more than half a century.
Polling stations across Mogadishu’s 16 districts opened at 6:00 a.m. local time and closed at 6:00 p.m., with over 500,000 registered voters – out of the city’s population of more than 3 million – casting ballots at 523 polling sites. A total of 1,604 candidates from 20 political parties competed for 390 district council seats. The newly elected councilors will subsequently select the city’s mayor, shifting away from the longstanding practice where the president appointed the mayor.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who cast his ballot, hailed the vote as a “new chapter in the country’s history” and evidence of Mogadishu’s improved security and stability. National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) officials described the process as orderly and peaceful, with early queues forming despite tight security measures, including the closure of Mogadishu airport, road restrictions, and deployment of over 10,000 security personnel to deter threats from al-Shabab militants.
The elections represent a deliberate move away from Somalia’s clan-based indirect system, in place since the collapse of Siad Barre’s regime in 1991. Direct elections were last held nationwide in 1969, before Barre’s coup. This Mogadishu vote, delayed three times in 2025, is viewed as a vital test for planned one-person, one-vote national elections in 2026.
However, the process faced controversy: Major opposition parties boycotted the polls, accusing the federal government of unilateral organization and flaws that could entrench power. Analysts note the boycott and lack of full international partner support raise questions about inclusivity, though bodies like the African Union and IGAD commended the orderly conduct as progress toward participatory governance.
No major incidents were reported on voting day, and results are expected soon. This election underscores Somalia’s gradual democratic revival amid ongoing security challenges.
Clarion Newschannel continues to follow developments in this pivotal story for the Horn of Africa.
HISTORIC MILESTONE: Mogadishu Residents Vote in First Direct Municipal Elections in Over 56 Years!
