Somalia’s opposition has rejected the 2027 federal election timetable, accusing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s government of electoral manipulation as tensions over the country’s political future deepen.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (Somali Report) — A Somali opposition leader has rejected a newly announced timetable for federal elections in 2027, accusing the government of seeking to manipulate the electoral process and consolidate power amid an ongoing political dispute.
Mohamed Adan Jimale, known as Koofi, secretary of the Salvation Forum, an opposition coalition, criticised the schedule announced on Thursday by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Under the timetable, elections for both houses of the federal parliament are scheduled for April 15, 2027, while the presidential election is due to take place on May 15, 2027.
The commission said the parliamentary election date was set in accordance with Article 18, paragraph two, of the National Elections Law, which requires the election date to be announced 180 days before voting.
It said the presidential election date was based on Article 112 of Somalia’s constitution, which stipulates a five-year presidential term beginning on the day the president is sworn into office.
Koofi accused federal government leaders of pursuing what he described as electoral manipulation and an abuse of state power.
“The disease that caused Somalia’s collapse began with a stolen election and the misuse of state power,” he wrote in a statement, arguing that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was attempting to repeat the same mistakes rather than address their consequences.
“Forty years later, Hassan Sheikh wants to turn the same disease into a cure, and that will not happen,” Koofi said, without providing further details in the statement.
The opposition has repeatedly challenged the federal government’s approach to elections and constitutional changes, with disagreements over the electoral system and the distribution of political authority deepening tensions between the two sides.
Somali Report · Newsletter
Your morning briefing on Somalia's biggest stories — politics, security, business, and the people shaping the region's future.
Information Minister Abdifitah Qasim, however, welcomed the commission’s announcement, saying Somalia was moving towards direct elections in which citizens would vote for their representatives.
Since the approval of the first four chapters of the national constitution and their signing by the president, the federal government has pursued measures to implement the constitutional changes, including passing laws and establishing institutions needed to organise elections, Qasim said.
“Direct elections based on a multiparty system have taken place in Mogadishu, and the electoral process is under way in some federal member states,” he said.
He described the planned federal elections as an important part of state-building, strengthening democracy and giving citizens a greater role in determining the country’s future.
“Direct elections are your right and the future of your country. Prepare to participate in the elections,” the minister added.
The announcement comes as Somalia remains divided over how the next elections should be conducted, with the federal government facing opposition from political leaders and the administrations of Puntland and Jubbaland.
The dispute centres on the electoral process, constitutional implementation and the extent to which political stakeholders should agree on arrangements for the next polls.
The latest timetable is likely to intensify debate over the credibility and inclusiveness of the electoral process, with opposition figures questioning the government’s approach while officials maintain that the country is preparing for a transition towards direct voting.
No details were provided in the statement on how the commission plans to address the objections raised by the opposition or whether further consultations with political stakeholders would take place.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
Somali Cabinet Moves to Enforce New Constitution, Sets Two-Month Deadline for Draft Law
