Somalia Government Rejects Indirect Elections, Affirms Security Commitment

MOGADISHU – The Federal Government of Somalia has issued a firm warning against the use of national security for political gain, stating that any action threatening public stability in Mogadishu or elsewhere in the country will be met with decisive action. Information Minister Abdifitah Qasim said maintaining peace is a shared responsibility that goes beyond political differences and is essential for the nation’s economic health.

Minister Qasim made it clear that national security belongs exclusively to the Somali people and must not be treated as a bargaining tool for political groups or opposition factions. The Commander of Banaadir Regional Police, Colonel Mahdi Omar, has firmly denounced deliberate attempts by former political figures to destabilize the capital, warning that those who undermine public security will face legal consequences.

Somalia Rules Out Return to Indirect Elections

On the subject of Somalia’s political transition, the Minister highlighted the substantial resources and institutional preparations being made to implement universal suffrage. The move toward direct, democratic elections marks substantial progress, allowing citizens to choose their representatives directly.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has convened high-level meetings with civil society to review the completion of Somalia’s democratic transition, reinforcing the commitment to one-person, one-vote. The federal government has firmly rejected any alternative political models, confirming the shift away from indirect clan-based selection is permanent. Minister Qasim stated there will be no negotiations about returning to indirect methods.

Security and Stability Tied to Electoral Progress

The government’s warning comes amid ongoing efforts to consolidate security across Somalia. Mogadishu’s Mayor recently presided over a high-level security meeting aimed at intensifying measures to enhance safety and curb criminal activities that endanger public stability. Officials consistently link improved security to economic recovery.

While former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has cautioned that the nation is heading toward political uncertainty, blaming the president for hindering negotiations on the electoral framework, the government maintains its position. Former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo has also accused the government of restricting protest rights, warning that preventing peaceful assemblies could violate constitutional rights.

Citizens Urged to Protect Democratic Gains

Minister Qasim’s remarks reflect growing official concern about attempts to disrupt the political calendar. South West State recently successfully conducted one-person, one-vote elections across 13 districts, a milestone President Mohamud praised as “a new chapter in Somalia’s history.”

Voter registration has expanded to Galbarwaaqo in the Mudug region and other districts, with the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission utilizing advanced systems to guarantee an accurate national voter roll. The opposition Somali Future Council has leveled accusations of political repression against the Federal Government, but authorities insist security measures remain essential for stability.

The Minister urged Somalis to protect the democratic process, saying that any effort to create instability would be an attack on the will of the people. He reiterated that the government will not tolerate actions designed to create a power vacuum or undermine legitimate state institutions.