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Somalia’s federal government and the Somali Salvation Forum have signed a major agreement on how the country’s next elections will be conducted. Both sides say the deal is an important step toward strengthening national unity and accelerating the state-building process.
The agreement comes after two months of negotiations. Under the new framework, the Federal Parliament will elect the president, while leaders of federal member states will select members of parliament. Once elected, the president will appoint a prime minister, subject to approval or dismissal by the House of the People.
The deal also sets a political benchmark: any organization that wins at least 10 percent of parliamentary seats will be recognized as a national party. Elections will be guided by the 2024 electoral law, with preparations for local, state, and federal polls set to begin immediately. Both parties also pledged to finalize Somalia’s provisional constitution to create a stronger legal and institutional foundation.
A key feature of the roadmap is a gradual transition to direct voting, where citizens themselves will eventually cast ballots. This marks a shift from the long-standing clan-based power-sharing system toward a one-person, one-vote model.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud welcomed the accord as a turning point for Somalia. “The door to state-building is now open for the Somali people,” he said, promising that all stakeholders will be included in the process.
In a joint statement, the government and the Somali Salvation Forum emphasized that the agreement reaffirms Somalia’s sovereignty and unity. They also linked the political progress to ongoing military operations against al-Shabab, highlighting that stability requires both security and inclusive governance.
Despite optimism, challenges remain. The Somali Salvation Forum itself is divided, with some members supporting the deal and others opposing it, raising questions about implementation. Somalia has faced repeated election delays and disputes in the past, but both sides urged all political actors to rally behind this new framework as a way to end years of uncertainty and move the country closer to lasting democracy.
