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Somalia marked a major democratic moment with the successful conduct of its first direct local council elections in Mogadishu in nearly six decades. While the vote was largely peaceful and well-organized, it took place against a backdrop of growing misinformation and uneven media coverage, according to a new report by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ).
The elections, held on December 25, 2025, were the first time residents of the capital directly elected their local representatives since 1969. NUSOJ’s Election Observation and Media Monitoring Report was based on structured monitoring carried out between November 1 and December 30, covering both the campaign period and election day. The union described the vote as a historic milestone that signals Mogadishu’s gradual return to democratic local governance after decades of conflict and instability.
A total of 1,604 candidates competed for 390 seats across Mogadishu’s 16 districts. To secure the process, authorities enforced strict security measures, including deploying nearly 10,000 security personnel and imposing a temporary citywide lockdown on election day. Despite these tight controls, NUSOJ reported no election-related violence and confirmed that journalists and media outlets were able to operate without attacks or intimidation. For many Somalis, this was the first time they had experienced a peaceful direct election in their lifetime.
According to the report, radio remained the most trusted and influential source of election information, reaching about 58 percent of the public. Television followed with 29 percent, while online media accounted for 13 percent. Print media played almost no role, as only one independent newspaper still operates in Somalia and is rarely read. These figures highlight the continued importance of broadcast media in shaping public opinion during elections.
NUSOJ found that private media outlets generally provided the most professional and balanced coverage. Many followed ethical standards and an agreed code of conduct signed by NUSOJ, the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC), and the Ministry of Information. Some private outlets even corrected mistakes quickly, especially content that could have triggered political or clan tensions. However, the report also noted that ownership interests influenced coverage in a few private outlets, weakening editorial independence.
State media faced stronger criticism. NUSOJ said government-owned outlets focused heavily on official messaging and gave disproportionate attention to the ruling Justice and Solidarity Party. Opposition parties and candidates were often given limited or no fair access, raising concerns about political bias and unequal representation.
Misinformation and disinformation emerged as one of the most serious threats to the credibility of the elections. False and misleading content circulated online before the vote, dipped slightly on election day, and then surged afterward. This post-election spike fueled political polarization and damaged public trust in the results. The report noted that misleading narratives came from various sources, including government-aligned voices, opposition politicians, and ordinary social media users. In some cases, content was amplified by accounts operating outside Somalia. NUSOJ also observed some opposition figures using clan identity to question the legitimacy of the vote without providing clear evidence.
To support coverage, NUSOJ accredited 28 local and 12 international media organizations, involving a total of 94 journalists. While accreditation improved access overall, inconsistent enforcement of rules and the inclusion of influencers and content creators alongside professional journalists caused confusion at some polling stations and weakened journalistic standards.
NUSOJ observers reported that most polling stations opened on time and that voting was generally smooth, taking only four to six minutes per voter. Early-morning movement restrictions briefly limited media access, but these were lifted after discussions between NUSOJ, election officials, and police leaders. Only one minor political tension was recorded, and it was quickly resolved.
Before the elections, NUSOJ trained 102 journalists in partnership with the NIEBC, focusing on election procedures, ethics, and professional reporting. The union said this training helped improve both the quality of coverage and public understanding of the process.
NUSOJ concluded that the Banadir elections were peaceful and encouraging but warned that future elections will require stronger protection of media freedom, fair access for all political actors, clearer official communication, and effective systems to counter disinformation. The union said the Mogadishu vote provides a foundation Somalia must strengthen as it prepares for wider direct national elections.