Meeting with Somali elders comes amid political tensions over constitutional reforms and electoral model ahead of 2026 transition.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (Horn post) Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud hosted a state dinner at the Presidential Palace in Mogadishu honoring traditional leaders from across the country, as he renewed calls for nationwide support for democratic reforms and universal suffrage elections.
According to a statement from the presidency, the gathering brought together prominent Somali elders representing various regions, highlighting their role in peacebuilding, reconciliation, and state formation.
Mohamud praised the elders for their longstanding contributions to national unity and stability, emphasizing their influence in conflict resolution and community cohesion. He also briefed them on the federal government’s recent progress in security operations, democratization efforts, institutional development, and decentralization.
The president underscored his administration’s commitment to transitioning Somalia toward a one-person-one-vote electoral system, describing it as a non-negotiable constitutional right. He urged traditional leaders to support the implementation of inclusive elections to ensure credible representation and a transparent democratic process.
“We remain firmly committed to ensuring that Somali citizens regain their constitutional right to elect their leaders after decades of indirect voting systems,” Mohamud said. “Incomplete electoral processes in the past have contributed to instability, particularly insecurity.”
Some traditional leaders welcomed the initiative, commending the government’s achievements in counterterrorism efforts, infrastructure development, governance reforms, and political decentralization.
The meeting comes amid heightened political tensions in Somalia, with disagreements between the federal government and regional administrations, particularly Jubaland and Puntland, over constitutional amendments and the structure of future elections.
Opposition figures argue that recent constitutional changes could extend the president’s term to five years, while critics maintain his mandate is set to expire in May 2026.
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