Mogadishu Votes: What to Know Ahead of the Historic Local Council Elections
GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Mogadishu goes to the polls tomorrow in what Somali authorities are describing as a historic moment for the capital and the country’s political transition. For the first time in decades, residents of the Banaadir region will elect their local council leaders through a one person, one vote system.
The elections are being closely watched at home and abroad, not only for what they mean for local governance in Mogadishu, but also for their implications for Somalia’s planned 2026 presidential elections.
Who is contesting?
A total of 1,604 candidates are vying for local council seats across the capital’s 16 districts.
Men dominate the race, with 1,243 male candidates, representing 77 percent of the total. Women make up 361 of the aspirants, accounting for 23 percent. While still far from parity, officials say the female participation rate is higher than in previous indirect political processes.
The candidates are drawn from 20 registered political associations, marking a shift away from clan-based selection toward organised party competition, at least at the local level.
The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) has already issued certificates of participation to all approved candidates, formally clearing the way for voting.
Why is this vote significant?
For more than 50 years, Somalis have not directly elected their local representatives through universal suffrage. Political leadership has largely been chosen through clan-based negotiations and indirect electoral colleges.
Tomorrow’s vote is therefore being framed as a test case for the broader transition to direct elections nationwide. The federal government hopes that successful polls in Mogadishu will build momentum for the planned 2026 presidential and parliamentary elections, which are expected, at least in principle, to follow the same one person, one vote format.
However, that national roadmap remains contested. Several opposition leaders have already rejected aspects of the proposed 2026 process, raising questions about whether consensus can be reached beyond Banaadir.
Security and restrictions
Security is at the centre of the election preparations.
Mogadishu has seen a heavy deployment of security forces across all 16 districts, with checkpoints tightened and patrols increased. Authorities say the measures are intended to prevent attacks by Al-Shabaab, which has repeatedly targeted political processes and state institutions.
In a rare step, the Civil Aviation Authority has cancelled all flights to and from Mogadishu for election day, citing security considerations. The move underscores both the sensitivity of the vote and the level of threat assessments surrounding it.
What happens next?
If the elections proceed smoothly, newly elected local councils will be formed in each district, paving the way for the selection of mayors and district leadership through elected bodies rather than appointments.
More broadly, the outcome will shape the national debate on whether Somalia is ready to fully abandon indirect elections. Supporters argue that Mogadishu can serve as a model for the rest of the country. Critics warn that unresolved political disputes, security risks and institutional weaknesses could derail a nationwide rollout.
Either way, tomorrow’s vote marks a critical moment. For many residents of Mogadishu, it is their first opportunity to directly choose local leaders. For Somalia as a whole, it is a high-stakes rehearsal for what could be the most consequential elections in a generation.