Third Mayors Forum Begins in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU – The Third Somalia Mayors Forum has officially commenced in the capital city, with Interior Minister Ali Yusuf Ali Hosh opening the two-day gathering at the Jazeero Hotel. Hosted by the Federal Government’s Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation, the event has united mayors from districts nationwide, with participation from federal authorities, state representatives, international partners, and civil society groups.

Speaking at the opening session, Minister Hosh emphasized that mayors and district administrations remain at the forefront of responding to challenges affecting communities across Somalia, including drought, displacement, climate-related shocks, resource disputes, and local conflicts.

“Empowering local governments is not a policy choice; it is the foundation of service delivery, development and democratic participation,” the minister said.

Decentralization and Local Governance Priorities

The forum aims to facilitate dialogue on local governance, service provision, urban development, and enhanced collaboration between municipalities. Minister Hosh reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to decentralization and strengthening local governance structures, urging participants to share experiences and develop practical solutions to improve public services and resilience at the district level.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has previously stated that his government will elect district councils after decades of neglect, marking a significant shift in Somalia’s governance framework. The commitment to local elections represents a key step toward establishing representative governance at the district level across the country.

Benadir Region Elections: A Democratic Milestone

The Ministry of Interior congratulated the people of Benadir Region and the newly elected members of the District Council following the successful election on December 25, 2025. The Ministry described the historic election as a sign of democratic progress, strong public participation, and political maturity. Special recognition was given to the Independent National Electoral and Boundaries Commission and security agencies for ensuring a transparent, professional, and peaceful process.

The Ministry emphasized that the new District Council will play a key role in improving public services, promoting accountability, and advancing local development projects. The Benadir elections demonstrated that local governance can be successfully implemented through democratic processes, setting a precedent for other regions across Somalia.

National Identification System to Support Local Governance

Somalia has unveiled a new national identification system designed to strengthen governance and service delivery. The system is expected to support local governments in identifying residents, delivering targeted services, and improving revenue collection at the district level.

Somalia’s Ambassador to South Africa, Mohamed Sheikh Issak, recently participated in high-level talks in Pretoria focused on advancing regional growth through municipal economic development initiatives. The session emphasized the potential for Somalia’s cities to tap into cross-border investment opportunities as the country works to rebuild its municipal governance structures.

Local Government Success Stories

The success of strong local governance can be seen in Berbera, where municipal revenue soared from $1.5 million in 2012 to $14 million by 2024, allowing the city to allocate $2 million per year to schools and $1.7 million annually to healthcare. Berbera’s mayor credits the transformation to capacity building in governance, planning, and transparency rather than just funding. Similar local government units across 32 locations in Somalia and Somaliland have significantly enhanced their capacities in local development planning, public finance management, and climate vulnerability response.

Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainable Cities

The Ministry of Interior has previously highlighted public-private partnerships as a key tool for building sustainable cities across Somalia. Abdulkadir Elmi Ali, Director General of the Ministry, stated that PPPs are vital for building public trust, enhancing service delivery, stimulating local economies, creating jobs, and fostering resilient cities nationwide.

Forum Participants and Expected Outcomes

The forum brings together mayors and district administrators from across Somalia to discuss local governance, service delivery, and efforts to strengthen cooperation between federal, state and local institutions. Participants are expected to focus on governance reforms, urban development, revenue generation, climate resilience, and cooperation between municipalities as Somalia advances its broader state-building agenda.

Local governments also play a key role in responding to recurring humanitarian crises. Somalia remains vulnerable to droughts, floods and displacement, with millions of people requiring humanitarian assistance despite improvements in security in some parts of the country.

Way Forward for Local Governance

The Third Somalia Mayors Forum represents a continued commitment to strengthening local governance as the foundation of service delivery and democratic participation in Somalia. Strengthening district administrations remains central to Somalia’s long-term efforts to promote stability, development and democratic governance.

More information is expected to be released as the three-day event progresses. The forum is scheduled to run from June 8 to 10, 2026, at the Jazeero Hotel in Mogadishu.