Somalia says it will hold elections in 2027 | Elections News
Somalia to Hold Parliamentary and Presidential Elections in 2027
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s Independent National Elections and Boundaries Commission (INEBC) has confirmed that parliamentary and presidential elections are set for next year. Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, the commission’s chairman, announced the election dates during a broadcast on state television Thursday.
The elections for the House of the People and the Senate will take place on April 15, 2027, followed by the presidential election scheduled for May 15, 2027. The commission stated that the presidential election aligns with the established rule stipulating a five-year term for the president, starting from the date of inauguration.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s current term, which began in 2022, officially ended earlier this year. However, the government declared a “transition period” following a constitutional amendment in May, despite a prior agreement with opposition factions to hold elections.
Opposition parties boycotted the constitutional amendment vote and have subsequently rejected the changes. Mohamud seeks to implement party-based elections instead of the traditional clan-based electoral system. Critics accuse him of attempting to consolidate power.
Former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo labeled the election announcement a “dangerous threat to Somalia’s statehood and future” in a post on social media platform X, calling for negotiations among all factions before proceeding with the elections. Another former president, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, raised concerns about the potential for parallel elections and civil conflict resulting from a contested electoral process.
While the government has welcomed the announcement as a crucial step toward strengthening the democratic framework in Somalia, analysts remain skeptical. Samira Gaid, a political analyst, emphasized the absence of a political agreement for the elections, suggesting that the government’s actions could exacerbate divisions within the country.
Residents of Mogadishu expressed skepticism, with some characterizing the announcement as “one-sided.” Omar Said, a local resident, warned that the decision could lead to renewed conflict.
Security Challenges Persist
Despite ongoing efforts to address insecurity, President Mohamud acknowledged that significant security challenges remain. In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, he noted that the al-Shabab militant group, which pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda in 2012, has been largely absent from major cities but continues to operate in southern and central Somalia. Al-Shabab has a history of deadly attacks, affecting both Somalia and neighboring Kenya.
Mohamud reaffirmed that the United States remains Somalia’s primary ally in combating terrorism. He also discussed Somalia’s relations with Ethiopia, describing them as positive. He highlighted the recent agreement allowing Ethiopia to access Somali ports for economic purposes, which followed previous tensions over a memorandum of understanding that Somaliland signed with Addis Ababa in January 2024.
