
Wednesday January 15, 2025

FILE - Somalia's Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi addresses the media during a press briefing at his office in Mogadishu, emphasizing the government’s commitment to advancing one-person, one-vote elections.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia's Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi has called on opposition leaders to prepare for one-person, one-vote elections, pushing back against criticism voiced during a press conference held Tuesday by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, MP Abdirahman Abdishakur, and Senator Prof. Abdi Ismail Samatar.
The trio, prominent members of Somalia's political opposition, had expressed concerns over the electoral process during their joint appearance in Mogadishu. However, Minister Fiqi dismissed their complaints, urging them to shift their focus toward constructive engagement in the democratic process.
In a Facebook post addressing the issue, Fiqi stated: "The Parliament, of which these three elders are members, approved the very elections they are now protesting. The Independent Electoral Commission has informed us that it will announce the election schedule in the coming days. Perhaps their objections are premature."
Fiqi accused the opposition of inconsistency, highlighting their shifting stance on electoral reforms. "Years ago, they accused the former president of opposing elections. Now, they are criticizing the current president for organizing one-person, one-vote elections—a system they have long advocated for. This inconsistency reflects 'political disarray,' a condition where individuals confuse what they support with what they oppose, driven by shifting personal interests and circumstances."
He called on opposition parties to prepare for the elections, stating: "Let us focus on preparing for elections. There are no other options for this country. Dust off the political parties and get ready to compete."
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has repeatedly pledged his administration's commitment to holding these elections by 2026, calling it a necessary step toward accountability and inclusivity. Successive governments have grappled with the challenge of transitioning to a direct voting system, with efforts repeatedly falling short of fruition.
Somalia's transition to universal suffrage is widely viewed as a historic step in its democratic evolution, shifting away from a clan-based power-sharing model that dominated its politics since Siad Barre's regime collapsed in 1991. The planned elections would allow citizens to directly elect their president for the first time in over 50 years. Parliament approved amendments to the electoral framework in November 2024, and the independent electoral commission is expected to release the election schedule in the coming days.