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Historic Elections in Mogadishu: First Direct Vote in 50 Years

12/25/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Residents of Mogadishu, Somalia, will vote in municipal elections, the first direct elections in over 50 years.
The vote ends the clan-elders’ practice of selecting leaders.
About 1,605 candidates compete for 390 district council seats.
The elections test national polls planned for 2026 after universal suffrage was restored.
Security concerns persist due to al Shabaab threats, and opposition parties say rapid changes could favor President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's re-election.

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Story summary

Residents of Mogadishu, Somalia, will vote in municipal elections, the first direct elections in over 50 years.
The vote ends the clan-elders’ practice of selecting leaders.
About 1,605 candidates compete for 390 district council seats.
The elections test national polls planned for 2026 after universal suffrage was restored.
Security concerns persist due to al Shabaab threats, and opposition parties say rapid changes could favor President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's re-election.