Overcoming Barriers to Universal Suffrage: Somalia's Quest for a Democratic Future

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia's President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has reaffirmed his commitment to hold universal suffrage elections at the end of his four-year term in 2026. This would be the first time in over 50 years that Somalia would hold such an election.

Previous attempts at democratic elections in Somalia have been hindered by a lack of investment in the electoral process and the inability to complete the draft Federal Constitution.

In addition, political division, security concerns, and the need to harmonize the Federal and State constitutions remain barriers to achieving universal suffrage.

President Mohamud's predecessor, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, was criticized for not prioritizing democratic elections, and the country reverted to a clan-based system and conducted an indirect vote in May 2022.

While the promise of universal suffrage in Somalia is not new, President Mohamud's commitment to delivering on it is promising. However, it remains to be seen whether Somalia can overcome the barriers and achieve a truly democratic election in 2026.

Somalia aims to hold universal suffrage elections in 2026, which would be a significant milestone for the country. However, past failures to deliver on promises of democratic elections and remaining barriers must be overcome for the election to be successful.

GAROWE ONLINE