Somalia’s Government Reaffirms Push for “One Person, One Vote” Electoral System Amid Opposition.

In a robust defense of Somalia’s commitment to direct elections, several cabinet members, including Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, and Deputy Information Minister Abdirahman Yusuf Adala, voiced support for the government’s push for a “one person, one vote” electoral model. This initiative has faced criticism from some political factions, which these cabinet members dismissed as “anti-democratic.”

The move toward a direct electoral system is a significant shift from Somalia’s traditional clan-based power-sharing model, where indirect elections have long determined the political landscape..

The government’s position was further emphasized by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who, in a speech on Thursday, declared that Somalia would not revert to indirect elections—a statement made after the recent National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting. The meeting, which brought together federal and regional leaders, reached a consensus to transition to direct, party-based elections, with local elections set for June 2025, and parliamentary and presidential elections scheduled for September 2025.

However, Puntland and Jubaland, two key regional states, did not participate in the NCC meeting, signaling possible divisions within Somalia’s political fabric. Notably, Fiqi, who had previously opposed former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo’s electoral plans as part of an opposition group led by President Hassan Sheikh, underscored the current administration’s determination to establish a sustainable democratic process that involves direct voting for all Somalis.

The cabinet members’ statements highlight the administration’s stance against opposition to this electoral shift, aiming to establish a unified, democratic approach to governance in Somalia, despite challenges from regions skeptical of the direct electoral model.