Residents of Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, have taken part in landmark municipal elections, marking the city’s first direct vote in more than 50 years and a major step toward nationwide elections.
Somalia has relied on indirect voting since 2004, following decades of instability that began with a military coup in 1969 and the collapse of central government after 1991.
The Mogadishu vote, involving nearly 400,000 registered voters and more than 1,600 candidates competing for 390 council seats, is seen as a test case for expanding direct democracy across the country.
While security in the capital has improved, Somalia continues to face threats from the Al-Shabaab insurgency, which has carried out attacks aimed at undermining the government. Officials described the vote as a restoration of constitutional rights, with electoral authorities saying it demonstrated the country’s resilience and readiness for broader elections.
Somalia approved a shift to universal direct suffrage in 2024, with presidential elections scheduled for 2026.
