Tawfiq Party Chairman Sheikh Shakir Launches One-Person-One-Vote Campaign in Hobyo

HOBYO – A delegation led by the Chairman of the Tawfiq Political Party, Sheikh Mohamed Shakir Ali Hassan, has arrived in the coastal district of Hobyo in the Mudug region to a warm welcome from local residents, as he prepares to formally launch his campaign for the upcoming one-person, one-vote elections in Galmudug State.

The reception in Hobyo adds to the intensifying campaign activity across Galmudug ahead of the state leadership election scheduled for 25 July 2026. Galmudug is set to become the second federal member state of Somalia to choose its leadership directly through a one-person, one-vote system, following South West State, which held its direct elections in May 2026.

Tawfiq Party’s Growing Political Presence

Sheikh Mohamed Shakir Ali Hassan, who leads the Tawfiq Political Party, is a prominent figure in Somali politics and a former leader of Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a (ASWJ) in the central regions. The party enjoyed significant success in the Banadir regional local council elections held in December 2025, securing 49 seats in the capital’s local councils.

Sheikh Shakir has been actively engaged in political dialogue and humanitarian cooperation. He recently met with the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) to strengthen humanitarian cooperation, commending the agency’s efforts in disaster management and emergency response.

Galmudug’s Historic Transition to Direct Elections

The Galmudug presidential election, originally scheduled for 20 July 2026, has been rescheduled to 25 July 2026. The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) has confirmed that 215,860 individuals have successfully enrolled and been issued voting cards across the Galgaduud and Mudug regions.

The transition to direct elections follows a period of intense political negotiations between the Federal Government and the Galmudug administration. 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. Qoor-Qoor confirmed he would step back from the race and support the direction set by the Federal Government for the electoral process.

Hobyo’s Strategic Significance

Hobyo, an ancient port city in the north-central Mudug region of Galmudug State, has long been considered strategically vital due to its proximity to major maritime routes in the Indian Ocean. The district is the largest in Mudug and has been the focus of significant development initiatives. Former Galmudug President Qoor-Qoor previously signed a significant agreement to develop the Hobyo port, which holds the potential to transform trade in the region.

Intensifying Campaign Activity

The reception in Hobyo reflects the increasing political activity across Galmudug as the region prepares for the landmark election. The Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP) has been actively campaigning, with Deputy Minister Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Cadaala leading the campaign team for JSP candidate Liban Ahmed Hassan (Liban Shuluq) in Dhusamareb.

The Ministry of Information and the NIEBC have coordinated efforts on public awareness and media coverage for the upcoming Galmudug elections, with the electoral process set to take place across 11 districts.

Way Forward

Sheikh Mohamed Shakir’s campaign launch in Hobyo signals the beginning of an intense electoral period in Galmudug. The 25 July election will mark a historic moment for the state as it transitions to direct democratic representation, following South West State’s precedent. The NIEBC has urged all regional stakeholders, political factions, and traditional elders to cooperate closely with electoral administrators to ensure a peaceful, transparent, and stable voting process.

As Galmudug prepares for this milestone, the success of the electoral process will depend on the commitment of all parties to peaceful participation and the continued engagement of the Federal Government in supporting democratic transitions across Somalia’s federal member states.