Somalia Holds First Direct Vote in Decades Under Heavy Security in Mogadishu

Somalia has deployed over 10,000 security personnel in Mogadishu as hundreds of thousands of residents vote in the capital’s local election, marking the return of direct “one person, one vote” polling for the first time in decades. While officials hail the vote as a step toward nationwide democracy, critics and opposition groups question its credibility amid security threats from al-Shabab and political divisions over future elections.

Over 10,000 security personnel have been deployed throughout the Somali capital, Mogadishu, as hundreds of thousands of voters are expected to head to the polls in what is being described as the country’s first direct election in several decades.
The local election in Mogadishu represents the return of the “one person, one vote” system, a principle that has not been practiced nationwide in Somalia for generations. Authorities say the vote is a significant step toward restoring full democratic participation across the country.
“This is my first time to vote,” 65-year-old Addey Isak Abdi told the Reuters news agency. She said she was filled with joy about taking part in the process and arrived early in the morning, walking alongside other women to cast her ballot.
According to members of the National Electoral Commission, the vote carries symbolic importance beyond the capital. “This ballot shows Somalia is standing on its feet and moving forward,” commission member Abib Hayir told Reuters. He added that once the local election is completed, elections could then be extended to the rest of the country.
Despite these assurances, doubts remain about whether nationwide direct elections are realistic in a country still grappling with serious security challenges. Somalia continues to face an Islamist insurgency, with the al-Shabab militant group controlling large swathes of territory and frequently carrying out deadly attacks, including in Mogadishu itself.
Because of these security threats, Somali authorities shut down Mogadishu’s airport and blocked major roads to vehicles on election day, placing the city under heavy lockdown as voting took place.
Somalia last held a direct national vote in 1969, before dictator Siad Barre seized power. After Barre’s regime collapsed in 1991, the country adopted a clan-based power-sharing arrangement. Under that system, clan elders and representatives select lawmakers, who then choose the president, rather than citizens voting directly.
Although universal suffrage was legally restored last year, the Mogadishu vote has faced repeated delays and was postponed three times in 2025. Now, the city’s roughly three million residents are set to directly elect their local representatives from a field of more than 1,600 candidates put forward by up to 20 political parties.
However, several opposition parties have criticized the election, arguing that it is designed to consolidate the power of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. They claim the process is flawed, unbalanced, and lacking genuine civilian participation.
“There is close to zero civilian participation. It’s mostly a government and security forces operation,” security analyst Samira Gaid was quoted as saying by AFP. She described the election as “stage-managed,” suggesting it is intended to make the impoverished and conflict-ridden country appear democratic without meaningful reform.
With the mandate of parliament due to expire in May 2026 and President Mohamud’s first term ending in April, deep divisions persist among Somalia’s political elite over how future elections should be conducted. Earlier this summer, Mohamud reached an agreement with some opposition leaders that parliamentary deputies would be elected directly by voters, while the president would continue to be chosen by parliament.
Opposition figures argue that this arrangement favors the incumbent president and is aimed at boosting his chances of securing another term. Meanwhile, some regional states have warned that they may organize their own separate election processes if a national consensus cannot be reached.