Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Votes in First Direct Local Elections Since 1969

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud cast his ballot on Thursday in the Benadir Regional Council elections, a landmark vote marking the first time Somali citizens have participated in direct local elections since 1969.

The President voted in Warta Nabadda District in Mogadishu, joining thousands of residents who turned out across the capital to take part in what is widely seen as a defining moment in Somalia’s political recovery.

Speaking after voting, President Hassan Sheikh stressed the election’s importance in rebuilding state institutions, strengthening democratic governance, and restoring public participation in national decision-making after decades of indirect political systems.

“This election is a foundation for rebuilding Somali governance and deepening democracy,” the President said, highlighting the role of citizens in shaping the country’s future through the ballot box.

In a direct appeal to opposition leaders who have rejected the electoral process, the President said the federal government remains committed to an inclusive and unified national political framework. He called on political actors currently outside the process to return to dialogue, cooperation, and national consensus.

“Our goal is a united political path that brings all Somali brothers and sisters together, including those absent from the political process,” he said, urging reconciliation and collective responsibility.

The Benadir Regional Council elections feature 20 political parties and associations competing for 390 council seats, with voting taking place across 16 districts of Mogadishu. Thousands of voters lined up at polling stations under heightened security, reflecting strong public engagement despite political disagreements.

The historic vote has drawn close attention from international media, which are monitoring voter turnout, security arrangements, and the overall conduct of the election. Observers say the orderly process and visible public participation point to Somalia’s gradual political stabilization and growing confidence in democratic institutions.

For more than five decades, Somalia relied on indirect elections, limiting citizens’ role in leadership selection. The Benadir elections are widely viewed as a critical step toward restoring voting rights and testing the country’s readiness for broader direct elections.

However, the process has faced resistance from sections of the opposition, underscoring persistent political divisions and the need for continued dialogue.

President Hassan Sheikh’s vote was both symbolic and strategic—an affirmation of the government’s commitment to restoring the people’s right to choose, and a call for political unity at a pivotal moment. While opposition objections remain, Mogadishu’s ballot boxes tell a larger story: Somalia is cautiously, deliberately, and visibly moving back toward democratic rule.