Somalia Builds Momentum for Universal Vote as Galmudug and Southwest States Launch Voter Registration

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s long-promised shift to universal suffrage is gaining ground, with Galmudug and Southwest states becoming the first regional states to kick off voter registration for a “one person, one vote” election, marking a critical step in the country’s democratic transformation.

In a symbolic move on Thursday, Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kariye, also known as Qoor Qoor, was the first to register in Dhusamareb, setting the tone for what he called “a new era of people-powered governance.”

“This is more than just registration, this is about giving power back to the people,” Qoor Qoor told cheering residents. “We must move beyond outdated systems and choose leaders who are answerable to the voters, not vested interests.”

In Baidoa, South West President Abdiasis Lafta Gareen also launched the voter registration drive where he registered as a voter. He  emphasized the importance of civic engagement and participation in the democratic process, stating that registering to vote is a fundamental right that empowers citizens.

The campaign, part of a broader federal plan, follows the initial rollout in Mogadishu two months ago. Galmudug is now leading the way among Somalia’s federal states in translating the vision of direct elections into action.

The launch coincided with major political talks in Mogadishu, where President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with the Somali Salvation Forum, a key opposition alliance, for the second time in under a month.

Their discussions revolved around four core national priorities: unity, constitutional reform, national security, and the establishment of a direct, inclusive electoral system.

Universal suffrage

Both sides reaffirmed their rejection of Somalia’s 2022 indirect voting model, widely criticized as opaque and exclusionary, and reiterated their support for a full transition to universal suffrage.

Yet, significant disagreements remain over how the electoral system should be structured, who oversees it, and how political parties should participate.

Still, the parallel developments in Dhusamareb and Mogadishu signal growing alignment between federal and regional leaders, as well as between the government and the opposition, toward breaking with the past.

“These aren’t isolated events, they reflect a coordinated push for change,” said a senior government source. “The president is focused on delivering real reform, and Galmudug’s action shows it’s not just talk.”

President Hassan Sheikh, who has made electoral reform a central theme of his second term, views the successful implementation of a “one person, one vote” system as a legacy-defining achievement, one that could help cement democratic norms and stabilize Somalia’s fractured political landscape.

With momentum building on multiple fronts, Somalia’s long road to direct elections may finally be turning a corner.