PM Barre Hails High Turnout as Mogadishu Votes in Historic Local Elections

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has said that Mogadishu’s local council elections marked a major step toward restoring democratic rights, as he inspected polling stations amid strong voter turnout in the capital.

Barre visited voting centres in the Shangani, Bondhere and Hamar-Jajab districts, where he reviewed security arrangements and the conduct of the polls.

He said the elections demonstrated progress toward transparent, peaceful and citizen-led governance.

“Protecting the will of the people and ensuring transparency are essential to building a genuine democracy,” the prime minister said, adding that responsibility for safeguarding the process rests with both state institutions and the public.

The vote is widely viewed as a historic milestone, allowing Mogadishu residents to directly elect local leaders for the first time in decades.

Officials say the elections are expected to strengthen local governance, boost public trust in state institutions and reinforce Somalia’s broader political reform agenda.