On April 15, the National Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission, led by Chairman Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, officially kicked off the voter registration process in Mogadishu. This significant move marks the beginning of preparations for the district council elections slated for June 30, 2025.
Speaking at the launch of the national voter registration campaign two days prior, Chairman Abdikarim highlighted that registration would start in the Banadir region, giving residents the opportunity to participate in selecting their local council representatives for the first time in nearly six decades.
“It is an honor that on April 15, nearly 60 years later, the people of Banadir begin registering to vote so they can choose their local council on June 30,” said Chairman Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan.
Mogadishu Mayor and Banadir Governor, Mohamed Ahmed Amir, described the campaign as a “golden opportunity” to restore the public’s power to choose their leaders through the ballot box.
But beneath the surface of this historic moment lies a wave of political skepticism.
While the electoral commission was announcing the start of voter registration, Villa Somalia simultaneously issued a call for a high-level national conference aimed at unifying the country’s leadership. This overlap has raised eyebrows.
Observers point out the contradictory nature of these simultaneous events. Several federal member states and opposition groups have long opposed the type of election the federal government is pushing for, citing issues around the structure of the electoral process and the legitimacy of the electoral commission itself.
Adding fuel to the fire, the federal government has also made unilateral amendments to parts of the provisional constitution—changes that have been rejected by opposition politicians and some regional administrations. While the government insists these reforms are in the spirit of national unity, others view them as power grabs.
Notably, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s invitation to SSC-Khatumo to join the National Consultative Council (NCC) talks—while excluding Jubbaland President Ahmed Madobe—has sparked further controversy. Some anonymous political insiders claim the move is less about unity and more about securing additional voices to give the appearance of inclusive dialogue.
Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni is also reportedly unlikely to attend the summit, casting further doubt on the federal government’s message of cohesion.
Some analysts argue that launching voter registration at this exact time could be a strategic move designed to provoke opposition leaders and derail the unity summit. By pushing forward with voter registration despite objections, President Hassan Sheikh could be aiming to present himself as the leader willing to unify the country, while portraying absent regional leaders as obstructive.
Ironically, critics now point out the glaring contrast between President Hassan Sheikh’s current stance and the strong opposition he voiced against former President Farmaajo’s centralization efforts when he himself was in the opposition.
While the launch of voter registration is a pivotal step toward universal suffrage in Somalia, its timing—aligned with a politically sensitive unity summit—has triggered suspicions of manipulation. Many believe President Hassan Sheikh is steering the national train down a path whose destination remains unclear, even to him.
