Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has stated that he has not yet made a decision on whether he will run for re-election in 2026.
He emphasized that any decision regarding the possibility of running for a third term will depend on the political climate as the election cycle approaches.
In an interview with Kenya’s Nation Media, President Mohamud highlighted significant improvements in security in the capital, Mogadishu, since he assumed office in May 2022. He recalled that during his tenure, the government had launched strong offensives against the militant group Al-Shabaab, leading to a noticeable decline in bombings.
“The security situation in Mogadishu has greatly improved since I took office in 2022,” President Mohamud remarked. “We were facing bombings every month, but now they have significantly decreased.”
He noted that this improved security has directly contributed to economic growth and infrastructure development, particularly in the expansion of business areas within the capital.
“My mandate focused on combating terrorism and restoring democracy in Somalia. That was my election agenda,” he explained. “Looking back at my previous election platform, I’m proud of our successes in weakening Al-Shabaab’s influence.”
President Hassan Sheikh reaffirmed that his primary goal remains to restore genuine democracy in Somalia, with a particular focus on implementing a long-awaited direct voting system.
