DHUSAMAREB — Galmudug regional president Ahmed Abdi Karie on Thursday congratulated residents of Somalia’s capital Mogadishu for peacefully participating in historic local council elections, describing the vote as a major milestone for the country.
In a statement, Karie praised citizens of Mogadishu for turning out in large numbers to cast their ballots in what he said was a calm, orderly and dignified process during elections for district councils in the Banadir region.
He also commended the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and Somalia’s security forces for what he called their professionalism and commitment in ensuring the polls were conducted safely.
“The successful conduct of these elections is a historic achievement for the Somali nation,” Karie said, underscoring their significance in advancing democratic governance after decades of indirect voting.
The Galmudug leader further praised Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for what he described as a “historic decision” and sustained efforts that enabled Mogadishu residents to directly elect their local representatives for the first time in nearly 60 years.
Karie urged residents of Galmudug to prepare for future elections, calling on them to take part in choosing their leaders through the ballot box as Somalia expands its one-person, one-vote system.
The Banadir local elections are widely seen as a test case for broader electoral reforms, as Somalia seeks to move away from clan-based indirect voting toward direct democratic participation.
