By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
MOGADISHU (Dawan) – Former Somali President Shariif Sheikh Ahmed has stated that Somalia is not yet prepared to hold one-person, one-vote elections, emphasizing the need for broad consensus and comprehensive security, political, and technical preparations to ensure a fair and credible process.
Shariif noted that while Somalia has navigated various political challenges over the years, the current situation requires all stakeholders to agree on a shared electoral framework that builds trust among the population.
“One-person, one-vote elections are the goal we seek, but achieving them requires substantial efforts in security and political arrangements, ensuring that all parties can operate freely, the country is free from terrorist threats, and confidence exists among the citizens,” Shariif Sheikh Ahmed said.
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The former president urged political actors and civil society to work together to organize transparent, safe, and legally compliant elections, while noting that the current conditions do not allow for immediate implementation of direct elections.
His remarks highlight the opposition’s perspective on the state of Somalia’s political environment and the importance of reaching a broad political agreement before moving forward with nationwide one-person, one-vote elections.