Minister of Information and NIEBC Chairman Discuss Galmudug Election Awareness Campaign

MOGADISHU – The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Abdifatah Qasim Mohamud, has met with the Chairman of the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC), Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, to coordinate efforts on public awareness and media coverage for the upcoming Galmudug elections.

The meeting, held in Mogadishu, focused on the role of state media in covering the Galmudug electoral process, which is set to take place across 11 districts. The minister confirmed that the Ministry of Information would deploy journalists from the national media to report on the elections.

Minister Abdifatah Qasim Mohamud was appointed to his position in May 2026, succeeding Daud Aweis Jama. He assumed the post at a critical time as Somalia approached a pivotal electoral period, with the ministry actively working on initiatives to train journalists in ethical and responsible election coverage.

The Ministry of Information has previously concluded workshops on combating hate speech during electoral processes, bringing together journalists from across the country to provide trustworthy election reporting and improve their capabilities to counter disinformation.

NIEBC Chairman Commends Electoral Progress

Minister Mohamud praised the NIEBC for the progress of the one-person, one-vote electoral process underway in the country. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to raising public awareness and guiding citizens on the direct electoral system.

The National Independent Electoral Commission has officially scheduled the Galmudug presidential election for July 20, 2026, with 215,860 individuals successfully enrolled and issued voting cards across the Galgaduud and Mudug regions. The commission emphasised that the structural layout of the timeline is designed to ensure maximum transparency, procedural integrity, and broad public participation.

The NIEBC has previously launched specialised training workshops for Somali journalists ahead of elections, equipping media professionals with essential tools for objective and responsible reporting.

Awareness Campaign and Media Training

The Ministry of Information and the NIEBC have collaborated on a series of initiatives to build media capacity ahead of the electoral period. In August 2025, a week-long media ethics training on responsible election coverage concluded in Dhuusamareb, bringing together 20 journalists from across Galmudug State. Participants engaged in practical sessions on fact-checking, balanced reporting, and safeguarding journalists’ safety during politically sensitive periods.

The Ministry of Information has also organised workshops aimed at strengthening journalists’ ability to combat disinformation and fake news, bringing together journalists from different regions of the country.

Political Context of the Galmudug Elections

The Galmudug elections come after a period of intense political negotiations and a shifting political landscape. Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kariye (Qoor-Qoor) announced his withdrawal from the presidential race following talks with Federal Government officials aimed at resolving differences over the electoral process.

A political rift emerged at the core of Somalia’s federal government over disagreements on who will lead Galmudug, stemming from a bitter disagreement between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and NISA Director Mahad Mohamed Salad, who had also planned to run for the Galmudug presidency.

The federal government has designated Liban Ahmed Hassan as the sole candidate to represent the JSP in the upcoming Galmudug presidential election, effectively clearing the field of internal challengers for the vote scheduled for July 20, 2026.

Way Forward

The meeting between the Minister of Information and the NIEBC Chairman reflects the federal government’s commitment to ensuring that the Galmudug elections are conducted transparently and with adequate public awareness. As the country continues its transition to a one-person, one-vote electoral system, the role of the media in providing accurate and balanced coverage remains critical. The Ministry of Information has pledged to deploy national media journalists to cover the elections, while the NIEBC has called on all regional stakeholders to cooperate closely with electoral administrators to ensure a peaceful and stable voting process.