Mogadishu, Somalia – The Deputy Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Adala, toured Mogadishu’s Hodan District and the busy Bakara Market, showcasing measurable progress in security that is facilitating the forthcoming local council elections.
During the four-hour visit, the Deputy Minister interacted with business owners and residents to evaluate their preparedness for the elections set for the 25th of this month. The tour provided a firsthand view of the capital’s evolving security environment and its favorable influence on public engagement in the democratic process.
Located in the heart of Bakara Market, Al-Adala highlighted the remarkable transformation in the area’s atmosphere. Once a hotspot for instability, the market has experienced a return to normalcy, enabling business activities to flourish securely.
“The condition of Bakara Market has significantly improved,” Al-Adala stated.
He observed that traders, who previously operated under the threat of intimidation from extremist groups, now conduct their business without hindrance.
The Deputy Minister mentioned that apprehension toward “Kharijites” has diminished, giving way to a collaborative relationship between merchants and government representatives.
This open communication serves as evident proof of the government’s achievement in reclaiming and safeguarding crucial economic centers.
The enhanced security conditions have directly corresponded with heightened public interest in the democratic process. In his conversations, the Deputy Minister noticed that many citizens had already obtained their voter registration cards.
“We found that most individuals we encountered have already acquired their voter cards, with others in the midst of completing this process in the upcoming days,” Al-Adala remarked.
He pointed to this substantial involvement as confirmation of the Mogadishu population’s attentiveness and their aspiration to take an active part in the execution of the electoral framework.
The Deputy Minister encouraged those who haven’t yet retrieved their cards to do so promptly, stressing that the peace established in the capital presents a special occasion for residents to practice their democratic rights securely.
Wrapping up his tour, Al-Adala attributed the transformation to the Somali Security Forces. He commended their courage and commitment, noting that their persistent endeavors to secure Mogadishu have formed the basis upon which this new period of trust is established. It is this protective security framework that has permitted the National Consultative Council and electoral authorities to proceed with the district elections, enabling citizens to carry out their constitutional obligations with assurance.
