Somali Prime Minister Rejects Return to Indirect Elections
Mogadishu – The Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, Hamza Abdi Barre, rejected a return to indirect elections and expressed his support for democratic reform, stressing that political power must belong to the people.
In his remarks at a dinner held in Mogadishu on Sunday evening to honor delegates from the recently concluded National Consultative Conference, the Prime Minister endorsed the federal government's commitment to the recommendations presented at the conference, noting that his government recognizes the critical role played by national stakeholders in shaping a democratic process that reflects the will of the people.
Barre said that the proposals presented by Somali scholars, elders, and civil society figures during the consultative forum will guide the country's democratic transition and the structure of future elections. He added that consensus and popular participation remain essential to state-building efforts.
The Prime Minister linked electoral reform to broader national goals, including improved security, economic development, and long-term political stability, and called for unity among political actors to overcome the obstacles facing Somalia's post-conflict recovery.
It should be noted that the Somali Federal Government remains committed to holding "one person, one vote" elections, while opposition leaders and some regional states oppose this, arguing that political consensus is necessary before elections can be held.
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