Somalia Opposition Council has strongly criticized the upcoming Banadir Regional Council elections scheduled to take place tomorrow in Mogadishu, describing them as neither free nor fair. The Council claimed the elections are orchestrated by a single party, misleading the Somali public.
Former Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheyre stated that the planned election favors one side and is not based on constitutional or proper democratic procedures. He noted that while 61 political organizations initially registered to participate, fewer than 20 remain, as the others recognized the election is designed to serve the interests of a single party.
“Anyone who genuinely tried to participate realized this is not an open competition, but a one-party system. Those who voice differing opinions face intimidation and arrest,” Kheyre said, accusing the electoral commission of serving the presidency rather than acting as an independent body.
Former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed also criticized the elections, describing the situation in Mogadishu as “a takeover” rather than a legitimate vote. Sheikh Sharif emphasized that a genuine election can only occur when diverse groups agree on the process, warning that the current approach risks political conflicts, social and clan divisions, and producing results that cannot be accepted.
He further noted that the time, energy, and financial resources spent on this election could have been directed toward more constructive initiatives in the national interest.
The National Salvation Council concluded that the activities in Mogadishu do not constitute a lawful election, but are driven by specific political agendas, including extending mandates, which they stated is unacceptable since the constitutional term of the government is four years.
