Somalia launched its national voter registration campaign on Sunday in the capital, Mogadishu, marking a significant milestone as the country prepares for its first direct elections in nearly six decades.
The initiative is part of the broader effort to transition from a clan-based indirect voting system to a more inclusive, one-person, one-vote model.
Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, the chairperson of the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEC), announced that voter registration will begin on Tuesday, with citizens expected to report to designated registration centers across the country. This marks the first time in almost 50 years that residents of Mogadishu will participate in such a process.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud made a pledge in 2023 to overhaul Somalia’s electoral system, moving away from the longstanding clan-based indirect voting model. The government has since passed two bills aimed at transitioning to direct, one-person, one-vote elections, with presidential elections scheduled for 2026.
However, the government’s plan has faced significant opposition. Former presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, along with other opposition leaders, have rejected the proposed reforms, calling the move unilateral and warning that they may organize a parallel vote if the government proceeds without their consent.
The last election, held in 2022, was conducted under the 4.5 clan-based system, which allocated equal parliamentary representation to four major clans and a half-share to minority groups. Somalia has not held direct elections since 1967, making this upcoming process a historic shift in the country’s political landscape.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held separate phone calls on Saturday with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to talk about bilateral ties as well as regional and global topics.
At least seven people were killed and major roads submerged after relentless overnight rains triggered severe flooding in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, officials said Saturday.
Al Shabaab attacks strategic Somali town as government forces struggle to contain insurgent gains.
The Turkish Petroleum Corporation and the Somali Petroleum Authority signed an onshore hydrocarbon exploration and production agreement in Ankara, Türkiye.
More than 100 dead dolphins have been discovered on Somalia's Puntland coast, with officials unable to determine the cause of death, though there is no evidence of injury from fishing nets or toxic substances affecting nearby fish
Indonesian rescuers are continuing their efforts to locate eight people still missing after a quarry collapse in West Java left at least 17 dead and six injured, with authorities warning of ongoing landslide risks.
China has issued a formal protest against the United States over recent remarks by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing Washington of “vilifying” Beijing and promoting confrontation in the Indo-Pacific.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 1st, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Türkiye’s first floating natural gas production platform, Osman Gazi, reached Filyos Port in Zonguldak on May 31.
Authorities in Whatcom County, Washington, issued a warning Friday after a truck carrying honey bee hives overturned near the Canadian border, initially prompting fears that millions of bees had been released.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
Taxi drivers across France are protesting government plans to cut payments for driving patients to medical appointments. These cuts are part of a broader effort by Prime Minister François Bayrou to save €40 billion in the 2026 budget and reduce the country’s large deficit.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Brazil’s economy is expected to have regained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in household spending and private investment, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted from May 21–26.
China has issued a formal protest against the United States over recent remarks by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing Washington of “vilifying” Beijing and promoting confrontation in the Indo-Pacific.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 1st, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Türkiye’s first floating natural gas production platform, Osman Gazi, reached Filyos Port in Zonguldak on May 31.
Authorities in Whatcom County, Washington, issued a warning Friday after a truck carrying honey bee hives overturned near the Canadian border, initially prompting fears that millions of bees had been released.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will travel to Washington next week to meet U.S. President Donald Trump.
Indonesian rescuers are continuing their efforts to locate eight people still missing after a quarry collapse in West Java left at least 17 dead and six injured, with authorities warning of ongoing landslide risks.
China has issued a formal protest against the United States over recent remarks by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing Washington of “vilifying” Beijing and promoting confrontation in the Indo-Pacific.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 1st, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Türkiye’s first floating natural gas production platform, Osman Gazi, reached Filyos Port in Zonguldak on May 31.
Authorities in Whatcom County, Washington, issued a warning Friday after a truck carrying honey bee hives overturned near the Canadian border, initially prompting fears that millions of bees had been released.
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