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Somalia's 2026 Mandate Test: Federal–State Election Rift Deepens Ahead of Polls
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Sunday November 23, 2025 - 17:48:40 in Latest News by Super Admin
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Somalia is entering a critical political year as preparations begin for the 2026 mandate cycle, with the central government and Federal Member States (FMS) increasingly divided over who should control upcoming elections. The debate touches on the core of Somalia's federal model — whether elections belong under the jurisdiction of federal states or the national government in Mogadishu.
Under the constitutions of the Federal Member States, the responsibility to administer state and local elections rests with the FMS. This framework has long allowed Puntland and Jubaland to independently manage their indirect elections, while Southwest, Hirshabelle, and Galmudug have largely seen the federal government take the lead.
The turning point: 2023 National Consultative Council decision
In 2023, the National Consultative Council (NCC) — with the exception of Puntland — agreed to unify electoral timelines for both the federal government and FMS. The logic behind the decision, as stated in the NCC communiqué, was to end Somalia’s cycle of yearly elections and build a predictable political calendar.
The federal government, backed by several FMS leaders, later amended the provisional constitution and passed three crucial pieces of legislation:
The Electoral Law
The Political Parties Law
The Boundaries and Election Commission Law
Collectively, these laws transferred responsibility for organizing local, regional, and national elections to Mogadishu and established a national election commission to implement the new framework.
A dispute over constitutional authority
While the federal government views the new laws as necessary for long-term stability and functional democracy, critics — especially in Puntland — argue that the amendments violate FMS constitutional autonomy. Puntland leaders maintain that elections remain the legal jurisdiction of federal states and accuse Mogadishu of centralizing power ahead of the 2026 mandate.
Analysts warn that both interpretations stem from gaps and ambiguities in the provisional constitution, which has never fully settled the division of electoral authority between federal and state levels.
Obstacles to direct voting
Despite the push toward a unified national election system, several barriers remain:
Absence of reliable population data and electoral rolls
Political mistrust between FMS and the federal government
Security volatility and Al-Shabaab presence in key regions
Weak institutional capacity to implement one-person-one-vote across the country
Civil society activists and election experts interviewed for this analysis stress that direct voting requires broad political agreement, not only new laws.
What lies ahead for 2026?
Somalia’s 2026 mandate cycle will test whether the country can transition toward predictable elections without triggering institutional confrontation. Success depends on:
Clarifying constitutional responsibility
Ensuring political dialogue among all FMS, including Puntland
Preparing the logistics for direct elections rather than rushing the process
While the federal government has taken a dominant role in shaping the new electoral architecture, enduring stability will require consensus, not unilateral action.
© Sunatimes.com — Article by Dahir Alasow
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Somalia's 2026 Mandate Test: Federal–State Election Rift Deepens Ahead of Polls
Somalia is entering a critical political year as preparations begin for the 2026 mandate cycle, with the central government and Federal Member States (FMS) increasingly divided over who should control upcoming elections. The debate touches on the cor