Thursday Dec 25, 2025 {HMC} Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has joined hundreds of thousands of Mogadishu residents in casting votes on Thursday, with polling stations opening since dawn for the capital’s first direct elections in nearly 60 years.

The local elections are a historic milestone in Somalia’s transition toward nationwide direct elections in 2026.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, voting in a direct election for the first time himself, was among the first to cast a ballot at the Warta Nabada district.

The high-stakes polls follow a massive voter registration campaign, with more than 1,600 candidates from 20 political parties vying for 390 local council seats across 16 districts.

Thursday December 25, 2025 {HMC} The al-Shabab extremist group remains the greatest immediate threat to peace and stability in Somalia and the region, especially Kenya, U.N. experts said in a report released Wednesday.

Despite ongoing efforts by Somali and international forces to curb operations by al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab, “the group’s ability to carry out complex, asymmetric attacks in Somalia remains undiminished,” the experts said.

They said the threat comes not only from al-Shabab’s ability to strike — including within the capital, Mogadishu, where it attempted to assassinate the president on March 18 — but from its sophisticated extortion operations, forced recruitment and effective propaganda machine.

The U.N. Security Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to extend authorization for the African Union’s “support and stabilization” force in Somalia until Dec. 31, 2026. The force includes 11,826 uniformed personnel, including 680 police.

The extremist group poses a significant threat to neighboring Kenya “by conducting attacks that vary from attacks with improvised explosive devices, which predominantly target security personnel, to attacks on infrastructure, kidnappings, home raids and stealing of livestock,” the experts said.

This year, al-Shabab averaged around six attacks a month in Kenya, mostly in Mandera and Lamu counties, which border Somalia in the northeast, the panel said.The experts said al-Shabab’s goal remains to remove Somalia’s government, “rid the country of foreign forces and establish a Greater Somalia, joining all ethnic Somalis across east Africa under strict Islamic rule.”

The panel of experts also investigated the Islamic State’s operations in Somalia and reported that fighters were recruited from around the world to join the extremist group, the majority from east Africa. At the end of 2024, they said the group known as ISIL-Somalia had a fighting force of over 1,000, at least 60% of them foreign fighters.

“Although small in terms of numbers and financial resources compared with al-Shabab, the group’s expansion constituted a significant threat to peace and security in Somalia and the broader region,” the panel said.

By  EDITH M. LEDERER

Thursday   25, Dec 2025 {HMC} Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has pledged to hold open dialogue with opposition leaders to address concerns over the country’s electoral process, saying that “all doors are open” for dialogue and national reconciliation.

Speaking to the media on Thursday after casting his vote in the Banadir Regional Council elections, President Mohamud described the polls as a significant milestone in Somalia’s long journey toward democratic governance. He said the elections reflect political maturity and the implementation of constitutional principles.

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“Today’s elections are a historic moment,” the president said, noting that the introduction of the one-person, one-vote system marks a major departure from decades of indirect elections.
He emphasized that inclusive dialogue remains essential for building trust and national unity, and acknowledged concerns raised by opposition politicians regarding electoral reforms and implementation.

“The government is committed to consultation, transparency, and a peaceful political process,” he said, calling on all political actors to prioritize national interests and democratic stability.

President Mohamud commended Mogadishu residents for participating in the vote despite tight security measures and a citywide lockdown imposed to ensure election security. He also praised security agencies and electoral authorities for facilitating what he described as a peaceful voting process.

Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre was also among senior officials who cast their ballots on Thursday. He visited several districts where voting was underway, commending election officials and security forces for their efforts.

Traffic across Mogadishu was largely restricted throughout the day, including at Aden Adde International Airport, where all flights were suspended as part of security measures.

The Banadir Regional Council elections mark the first one-person, one-vote polls held in Mogadishu in more than 50 years, electing local councils across the capital’s 16 districts.

Somalia last held direct elections in 1969—excluding votes in the semi-autonomous Puntland region and the breakaway Somaliland—months before the military coup led by Mohamed Siad Barre. Following the collapse of his regime in 1991 and years of civil war, Somalia adopted an indirect electoral system in 2004 to manage clan rivalries and ongoing insecurity.

Critics, however, argue that indirect elections have fostered corruption, while opposition parties say the rapid rollout of the new voting system could favor President Mohamud’s re-election prospects.

Opposition leaders have also raised concerns about whether security conditions are sufficient for mass voting, citing continued attacks by al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab, which still controls large rural areas and frequently targets major population centers.

Despite those concerns, the Mogadishu vote held in a city of approximately three million people is widely viewed as a test case for the possible expansion of direct elections at the national level.

Source Hiiraan online

Thursday   25, Dec 2025 {HMC} In the midst of Mogadishu’s bustling morning, Zakariye Abuukar made a choice that defines the spirit of today’s election. Pulling his three-wheeled Bajaj—the lifeline of the city’s public transport—to the side of the road, he stepped away from his livelihood to join the queue at a local polling station. His action serves as a powerful illustration of the deep value residents are placing on their constitutional rights today.

For Zakariye, the potential loss of fares was secondary to the magnitude of the moment. He explicitly stated that he parked his vehicle to “cast his vote and participate in the civic duty of the election.” This decision highlights a broader trend visible across the capital, where ordinary citizens from the working class are prioritizing their democratic participation above their daily economic routines.

The Bajaj is the heartbeat of Mogadishu’s transport network, yet drivers like Zakariye are taking time off the roads to ensure their voices are counted. This level of grassroots participation indicates how deeply the significance of the “one-person, one-vote” system has permeated the public consciousness. It suggests that residents view this election not merely as a political procedure, but as a personal responsibility to shape the governance of their city.

As Zakariye stood in line, his parked Bajaj remained as a silent symbol of a city willing to pause its rapid pace to embrace a new democratic future. His story reflects the determination of Mogadishu’s residents, who see this day as an opportunity that cannot be missed.

Source Sonna

Thursday   25, Dec 2025 {HMC}   Strong preparations and a high level of voter enthusiasm are evident in the Shangani District this morning as the residents of Mogadishu prepare to cast their ballots in the Benadir regional council elections. The historic one-person, one-vote exercise has drawn citizens out of their homes well ahead of the official opening of polling stations, signaling a robust start to the democratic process.

In Shangani, one of the capital’s oldest districts, the security apparatus is fully mobilized. Officers from the Somali Police Force are visibly present, maintaining order and managing the growing lines of voters. A touching scene unfolded at the district headquarters, where police officers were observed actively assisting elderly citizens who had arrived early to ensure they could exercise their constitutional rights without difficulty. The officers prioritized the comfort and safety of these senior voters, guiding them through the queues.

The situation in Shangani is a microcosm of the wider atmosphere across the capital. Reports confirm that the same level of readiness and voter eagerness is being replicated in all other districts of the Benadir region. From ensuring the security perimeter to facilitating the movement of vulnerable groups, the logistical and security arrangements appear to be holding firm as the city waits for the polls to officially open.

This heightened state of preparation reflects the significance of the day, as the residents of Mogadishu transition from an era of indirect selection to directly electing their local representatives. The collaborative effort between the security forces and the public in districts like Shangani sets a positive tone for what is expected to be a peaceful and orderly election day.

Source Sonna

Thursday   25, Dec 2025 {HMC}  – Long before the sun rose over the Indian Ocean this morning, thousands of Mogadishu residents had already taken their places in line, eager to participate in the capital’s first direct local council elections in over half a century. From the northern district of Karaan to the southern tip of Kahda, snaking queues of voters have formed outside polling stations, signaling a massive turnout for this landmark democratic exercise.

Reports from SONNA correspondents stationed across the Benadir region indicate a palpable sense of anticipation and determination among the electorate. In many districts, citizens began gathering as early as 3:00 AM, hours before the official opening of the voting centers. The crowds represent a cross-section of the city’s population, with elderly citizens standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the youth, all united by the common purpose of casting their ballots for their preferred district representatives.

Several voters interviewed by the Somali National News Agency expressed their enthusiasm and the weight of the moment. Many stated that they had been waiting for hours, unwilling to risk missing the opportunity to be among the first to vote. The sentiment on the ground is one of ownership and pride, as residents seize the chance to directly influence the administration of their local neighborhoods for the first time in decades.

The security atmosphere remains calm but vigilant. The Somali Police Force, which deployed extensively overnight, is managing the crowds and maintaining order at the station perimeters. Election officials inside the centers are conducting final checks on ballot boxes and biometric kits, preparing to welcome the first wave of voters as soon as the clock strikes the opening hour.

This surge of early voters demonstrates the public’s hunger for democratic participation. The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) had previously urged citizens to come out in large numbers, a call that appears to have been heeded with enthusiasm. As the gates prepare to swing open, Mogadishu is not just witnessing an election, but a profound shift in its political culture, driven by the patience and will of its people.

Siurce Sonaa