Tuesday April 28, 2026
Mogadishu (HOL) — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud hosted a state dinner for traditional elders in Mogadishu on Monday, urging them to back plans for universal suffrage as Somalia navigates a critical political transition.
The gathering, held at the presidential palace, brought together elders from across the country amid heightened debate over the electoral process and the future of governance.
“We remain firmly committed to ensuring that the Somali people regain their constitutional right to elect leaders of their choice after 57 years,” he said. “Incomplete electoral processes in the past have left us with many challenges, foremost among them insecurity.”
He called on traditional leaders to support the implementation of one-person, one-vote elections, framing the shift as essential to building a transparent and representative political system.
Elders at the meeting welcomed the engagement and acknowledged improvements in security and governance, including efforts against the militant group Al-Shabaab and ongoing infrastructure development.
The meeting follows a series of high-profile gatherings in Mogadishu involving traditional leaders, including the recent inauguration of Murusade sub-clan leader Ugaas Abdirisaq Ugaas Abdullahi, which drew senior government officials and opposition figures.
The outreach to elders comes as political tensions intensify over the electoral model and the mandate of federal institutions, with calls growing for broader consensus to avoid further instability.
