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.
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
Ethiopia and Somalia restored diplomatic ties during President Mohamud's visit to Addis Ababa.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei announced that the next round of negotiations between Tehran and Washington on nuclear issue will take place in Muscat, Oman.
European gas prices rose modestly on April 15, with the benchmark TTF index climbing 0.5% amid ongoing market adjustments, according to data from the London ICE exchange.
Cambodia confirmed the arrest and transfer of several Chinese nationals, including individuals from Taiwan, to Chinese authorities in March, citing compliance with national law and the One China policy.
The 4th session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent began this week at the UN headquarters in New York, bringing renewed international scrutiny to France and the Netherlands over their continued control of several overseas territories.
South Korea’s finance minister said Tuesday that Seoul will seek to delay U.S. tariffs for as long as possible, as negotiations with Washington continue amid mounting pressure on the country’s export-dependent economy.
A small plane crashed near Kopake, New York, on April 13, killing at 6 people. The Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft, carrying six people, went down under unclear circumstances. This marks the second aviation accident in New York in a week, raising safety concerns.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 10th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The death toll from the catastrophic roof collapse at a nightclub in Santo Domingo has risen to 98, with more than 160 people injured, according to Dominican authorities.
A quiet Thursday afternoon at St. Peter’s Basilica turned into something extraordinary, as visitors caught a rare glimpse of Pope Francis — not in his familiar white papal robes, but dressed in black trousers and a striped blanket.
In a dramatic about-face, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a 90-day pause on newly implemented tariffs for dozens of countries — a move that eased market turmoil but further escalated tensions with China.
European gas prices rose modestly on April 15, with the benchmark TTF index climbing 0.5% amid ongoing market adjustments, according to data from the London ICE exchange.
Cambodia confirmed the arrest and transfer of several Chinese nationals, including individuals from Taiwan, to Chinese authorities in March, citing compliance with national law and the One China policy.
The 4th session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent began this week at the UN headquarters in New York, bringing renewed international scrutiny to France and the Netherlands over their continued control of several overseas territories.
South Korea’s finance minister said Tuesday that Seoul will seek to delay U.S. tariffs for as long as possible, as negotiations with Washington continue amid mounting pressure on the country’s export-dependent economy.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said reaching a peace agreement with the United States over the war in Ukraine remains difficult, as Moscow stands firm on its demands and vows never to return to economic dependence on the West.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei announced that the next round of negotiations between Tehran and Washington on nuclear issue will take place in Muscat, Oman.
European gas prices rose modestly on April 15, with the benchmark TTF index climbing 0.5% amid ongoing market adjustments, according to data from the London ICE exchange.
Cambodia confirmed the arrest and transfer of several Chinese nationals, including individuals from Taiwan, to Chinese authorities in March, citing compliance with national law and the One China policy.
The 4th session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent began this week at the UN headquarters in New York, bringing renewed international scrutiny to France and the Netherlands over their continued control of several overseas territories.
South Korea’s finance minister said Tuesday that Seoul will seek to delay U.S. tariffs for as long as possible, as negotiations with Washington continue amid mounting pressure on the country’s export-dependent economy.
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