Mogadishu residents queued to vote in historic local elections on December 25 following a 56-year hiatus from direct democratic participation. The transition to a one person, one vote system marks a shift away from traditional clan-based negotiations despite opposition parties labeling the process a sham. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud oversaw the deployment of 10,000 security personnel to protect over 900,000 registered voters from potential Al-Shabab insurgent threats.Farhiyo Mohamed joined hundreds of thousands in expressing elation at the opportunity to vote for candidates who were not appointed through clan negotiations for the first time in their lives. Analyst Mohamed Husein Gaas noted that the democratic move strengthens citizens' influence and reflects a desire for long-term stability in Somalia.Security measures for the local council elections included the closure of the main airport and enhanced surveillance that reportedly decreased attacks in the capital by 86% leading up to the vote.
Published: 5h | Updated: 4h