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-built Oruc Reis seismic vessel has successfully concluded its first intercontinental mission in Somali waters, conducting a 3D seismic survey over 4,464 square kilometres.
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.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 22nd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), called on regional leaders Saturday to prioritize economic unity, policy coordination, and stronger investment to unlock West Africa’s full potential.
Iran has strongly condemned the recent U.S. airstrikes on its nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, calling them a violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
Pope Leo XIV spoke to political leaders in Rome on Saturday, urging them to remember that artificial intelligence is just a tool — not a replacement for humans.
Eight men were arrested Friday morning following a violent clash near the Iranian embassy in London, police confirmed.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
The USS Nimitz is heading to the Middle East amid tensions between Israel and Iran. The U.S. aircraft carrier has a decades-long history in the region, from the 1979 hostage crisis to modern deployments, often serving as a key asset during periods of rising friction with Iran.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 22nd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Iran has strongly condemned the recent U.S. airstrikes on its nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, calling them a violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
Eight men were arrested Friday morning following a violent clash near the Iranian embassy in London, police confirmed.
The Netherlands has officially returned 119 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, more than a century after they were looted during Britain’s 1897 invasion of the former Kingdom of Benin, now in southern Nigeria.
In a televised address on Saturday night, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced that American forces, in coordination with Israel, had conducted precision strikes on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites, aiming to dismantle Tehran’s enrichment capabilities.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 22nd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), called on regional leaders Saturday to prioritize economic unity, policy coordination, and stronger investment to unlock West Africa’s full potential.
Iran has strongly condemned the recent U.S. airstrikes on its nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, calling them a violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
Pope Leo XIV spoke to political leaders in Rome on Saturday, urging them to remember that artificial intelligence is just a tool — not a replacement for humans.
Eight men were arrested Friday morning following a violent clash near the Iranian embassy in London, police confirmed.
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