Somalia announces election dates

Somalia's election commission said on Thursday that parliamentary polls would be held on fifteen April, followed by a presidential vote scheduled for fifteen May.

Presidential term rule cited

The commission said the presidential vote was in accordance with a rule stipulating that the president's term of office is five years, beginning on the date the president is sworn into office.

Mohamud's term ended in May

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's second term, which began in two thousand twenty-two, ended in May this year, but his government declared a transition period through constitutional amendment.

Opposition boycotted amendment vote

Opposition parties boycotted the constitutional amendment vote in May and have rejected the changes since, despite an earlier agreement with the government to hold elections.

Mohamud pushes party-based elections

Mohamud has been trying to move Somalia towards party-based elections to replace a system based around clan elders, but regional leaders view this as a power grab and have opposed it.

Former president warns of danger

Former president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo said the unilateral election decision was a dangerous threat to Somalia's statehood and future and urged an agreement with all factions.

“dangerous threat to Somalia's statehood and future”

Sheikh Sharif warns of parallel elections

Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, another former president and opposition leader, warned that a contested electoral process could lead to parallel elections and even civil conflict.

“contested [electoral] process could lead to parallel elections”

Analyst sees no political agreement

Analyst Samira Gaid said there was no political agreement to hold those elections and expressed concern over conflict and confrontation within the remaining federal member states.

“no political agreement to hold those elections”

Al Shabaab still controls vast areas

Mohamud's government has struggled to defeat the al Qaeda-allied militant group al Shabaab, which has fought Somalia's central government for two decades and still controls vast areas.

US funding for peacekeeping uncertain

Somalia faces uncertainty regarding funding for AUSSOM, the African Union peacekeeping mission. The United States initially said it would cut all funding by the end of twenty twenty-six but has since indicated money will continue…

Clashes erupt over constitutional reform

In Mogadishu, heavy gunfire erupted between rival political factions in June ahead of planned demonstrations against Mohamud's changes. The government ousted the head of South West State in March, and clashes have erupted sporadically since.