Somalia’s cabinet has taken a significant step toward changing the country’s electoral process by approving a bill that could bring back universal suffrage. If parliament endorses this bill, Somalia will shift from its current system of indirect voting to a system where every citizen has the right to vote. This change would mark the first time in decades that Somali citizens can directly choose their leaders.
In recent years, Somalia’s election system has relied on indirect voting due to ongoing insecurity and fragile state structures. Under this system, clan heads and elders elected members of parliament, who then voted for the president. This process reflected the country’s complex clan-based politics and the challenges of holding direct elections amid an ongoing Islamist insurgency.
Somalia had initially planned to adopt universal suffrage in 2020. However, political disagreements and persistent security concerns forced the government to retain the indirect voting system. The approval of this new bill by the cabinet, announced by government spokesperson Farhan Jimale, signifies a renewed effort to empower citizens with the right to vote directly for their leaders.
“The election rules will lead the country to one person, one vote nationally,” Jimale stated. He emphasized that this move would give Somali citizens the power to vote and elect their leaders directly, something that has not been possible for 55 years. “It is a historic day,” he added.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who was elected in May 2022 by lawmakers for a five-year term, initially announced this policy last year. His administration has been pushing for the implementation of universal suffrage as part of a broader effort to stabilize the country and strengthen its democratic institutions.
However, rolling out universal suffrage in Somalia will not be without challenges. The country faces significant logistical hurdles, including the lack of infrastructure needed to support nationwide elections. Additionally, the militant group al-Shabaab continues to control large parts of Somalia, posing a significant security threat.
Al-Shabaab, an Islamist militant organization with ties to al-Qaeda, has been waging an insurgency in Somalia for over a decade. The group’s control over vast areas of the country, particularly in rural regions, has made it difficult for the government to establish its authority and provide basic services. This situation has also complicated efforts to organize and conduct free and fair elections.
The security situation remains one of the biggest obstacles to implementing universal suffrage. Despite efforts by the Somali government and international partners to weaken al-Shabaab, the group continues to launch attacks against government forces and civilians. The threat of violence looms over any attempt to hold direct elections, especially in areas under al-Shabaab’s influence.
Moreover, Somalia’s lack of infrastructure presents another challenge. The country’s telecommunications and transportation networks are underdeveloped, particularly in rural areas. This lack of infrastructure could hinder the government’s ability to organize and monitor elections across the country. Ensuring that all eligible voters can participate in the electoral process will require significant investment in building and improving infrastructure.
Despite these challenges, the Somali government remains committed to moving forward with universal suffrage. President Mohamud has emphasized that this change is essential for Somalia’s future, as it will allow citizens to have a direct say in their governance. By empowering the people to vote, the government hopes to foster greater political stability and build a stronger, more democratic state.
