Mogadishu to be placed under security lockdown ahead of historic local elections.

Somali Police Commissioner Brigadier General Asad Osman Abdullahi has announced a comprehensive security lockdown in Mogadishu to be on Thursday, December 25, as authorities move to secure the city during the historic local council elections in the Banaadir region.

According to the State media, the Police Commissioner said the measures are aimed at guaranteeing the safety of voters, election officials, and polling stations, while preventing any attempts to disrupt the electoral process. He clarified that despite the lockdown, “emergency transport services, (including ambulances and essential medical movements) , will be allowed to operate throughout the voting period” .

The local council elections, scheduled for December 25, mark a significant milestone in Somalia’s democratic journey, as residents of Mogadishu prepare to participate in a one-person, one-vote exercise for the first time in decades.

Ahead of the polls, the Chairman of the National Independent Electoral Commission, Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, on Sunday afternoon addressed election staff and officials, urging them to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism, integrity, and diligence. He emphasized that the credibility of the elections depends largely on the conduct of electoral personnel.

Security agencies have been placed on high alert across the capital, with coordinated operations involving the Somali Police Force and other security institutions to safeguard the process. Authorities have called on residents to cooperate with security personnel and adhere to the guidelines issued during the election period.

The Banaadir region local council elections are widely viewed as a critical test for Somalia’s push toward inclusive and democratic governance, setting the stage for broader electoral processes planned across the country.

Mustaqbal