Somalia has announced dates for parliamentary and presidential elections in 2027, amid growing political divisions over the electoral process in the conflict-hit Horn of Africa nation.
The country’s Election Commission said parliamentary elections would be held on April 15, 2027, followed by a presidential vote on May 15.
The announcement comes amid a dispute between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s government and opposition groups over proposed electoral reforms and the legitimacy of the transition period declared after the president’s second term ended earlier this year.
Political divisions over electoral reforms
Mohamud, who took office in 2022, has sought to move Somalia away from its indirect electoral system, in which clan elders play a central role in selecting lawmakers, towards a system based on direct democratic elections.
However, the reforms have faced resistance from opposition leaders and regional administrations, who accuse the government of pursuing changes without broad political consensus.
The president has defended the extension of the electoral timeline, arguing that constitutional amendments passed by parliament earlier this year provided the legal framework for the changes.
Opposition groups boycotted the parliamentary vote and rejected the amendments, with the administrations of Jubaland and Puntland among those opposing the changes.
Political analyst Samira Gaid warned that proceeding with the elections without an agreement could deepen divisions within the country’s federal system.
“There’s no political agreement to hold those elections,” Gaid told AFP, expressing concern that the process could trigger further confrontation between the federal government and regional administrations.
Former president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo also criticised the announcement, describing the unilateral decision as a threat to Somalia’s statehood and future.
He called for an agreement involving all political factions.
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions among residents of the capital, Mogadishu, with some warning that disputed elections could worsen political instability.
Mixed reactions from residents
Resident Omar Said said announcing an election timetable through a process rejected by the opposition risked triggering a new conflict.
University student Fadumo Ali also expressed concern that a contested federal election could undermine governance and national unity.
She urged President Mohamud to engage opposition leaders and reach a consensus on the electoral process to prevent further political turmoil.
However, some residents welcomed the announcement, arguing that the country should proceed with elections despite the disagreements.
Greengrocer Mohamed Hassan said he viewed the decision as a victory for the Somali people and maintained that those willing to participate should proceed with the process.
The electoral dispute comes as Somalia continues to battle Al-Shabaab, an Islamist militant group that controls or operates in parts of the country.
Challenges to election preparations
The persistent insecurity poses a major challenge to preparations for nationwide elections, with progress towards organising polls remaining limited in areas affected by the insurgency.
Somalia also faces uncertainty over funding for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which supports Somali forces in operations against militant groups.
The United States had initially indicated that it would end funding by the close of 2026 but later signalled that financial support would continue for another year.
Political tensions have also been accompanied by sporadic violence.
In June, heavy gunfire was reported in Mogadishu between rival political factions ahead of planned demonstrations against the government’s proposed political changes.
In March, federal forces moved against the administration of South West State leader Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.
Clashes between federal troops and forces allied to him have since erupted intermittently, with fresh fighting reported on Thursday.
Resident Muqtar Hussein said the situation in South West State demonstrated the dangers of proceeding with disputed elections without a political agreement.
Critical months ahead for Somalia
The coming months are expected to be critical for Somalia as the government faces pressure to reconcile competing political interests, address security challenges and establish an electoral process accepted by the country’s federal leadership and opposition groups.
