By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Somalia, 25 December 2025 The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) on Wednesday welcomed the successful and peaceful conduct of the Banadir local council elections held in Mogadishu, describing the vote as a historic milestone in Somalia’s democratic journey and state-building process.
In a press statement, AUSSOM said the elections marked the first time in decades that residents of the Somali capital were able to directly elect their local leaders through a one-person, one-vote system, reflecting growing public participation and civic responsibility.
“For the first time in decades, citizens in Mogadishu got the opportunity to directly choose their local leadership through the ballot of the universal vote,” said El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) and Head of AUSSOM. He noted that the peaceful conduct of the polls demonstrated the resilience, courage, and determination of the Somali people.
More from Somalia
The AU mission said the elections were conducted in a largely calm and orderly manner, underscoring progress made in improving security conditions and strengthening public trust in the Somali Security Forces.
Ambassador Diene also commended the Federal Government of Somalia and national security institutions for their professionalism and coordination in ensuring a secure environment throughout the electoral process.
AUSSOM reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Somali-led peace, stability, and democratic processes in close partnership with the international community.