Mogadishu, Somalia – Former Somali foreign minister and opposition leader Ambassador Ahmed Isse Awad has voiced concerns over President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s recent political maneuvers, saying they undermine the government’s pledge to transition Somalia toward a universal suffrage system.
Speaking at a public forum in Mogadishu on Sunday, Awad criticized the president’s support for the newly endorsed Northeastern State leadership, which emerged through an indirect selection process rather than a popular vote.
He argued that this move contradicts Mohamud’s long-standing promises to deliver a “one-person, one-vote” electoral framework — a reform repeatedly demanded by Somali citizens and strongly encouraged by international partners.
“Somalis have waited for years for a democratic system that gives every citizen an equal say. When the government endorses leadership chosen by indirect means, it sends a mixed signal about its seriousness in achieving that goal,” Awad said.
Awad, a seasoned diplomat and former envoy to Washington, emphasized that Somalia’s credibility depends on aligning political practice with commitments made at home and abroad. International stakeholders, including the African Union and United Nations, have consistently urged Mogadishu to accelerate electoral reforms as a cornerstone of state-building and stability.
President Mohamud, who came to office in 2022 pledging to deliver universal suffrage, has repeatedly cited security and logistical hurdles as obstacles to fully implementing the system. The government’s current plan envisions gradual reforms, though timelines remain unclear amid ongoing political disputes between federal and regional administrations.
Analysts say Awad’s remarks reflect broader frustrations within Somalia’s opposition, who fear that repeated delays and political compromises could further erode public trust in the democratic process. For many Somalis, the push for one-person, one-vote elections represents not only a political reform but also a long-awaited departure from the clan-based power-sharing model that has dominated national politics for decades.
Awad called on the government to clarify its roadmap and recommit to the democratic transition, warning that continued reliance on indirect systems risks deepening public disillusionment.