By Abukar Osman - Reporter
Somalia, July 11 2026 – Somalia plans to hold elections for its National Youth Council under a new government policy, Youth and Sports Minister said, shifting from the current system of presidential appointments.
Speaking on Miizaan Podcast, produced by Dawan Media, Minister Mohamed Abdulkadir Ali said the Ministry of Youth and Sports had completed work on a policy for the National Youth Council that would soon be submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval.
The minister said the council was originally established by presidential decree during the administration of former President Mohamed Siad Barre and was later revived following the collapse of Somalia's central government.
"At the moment, the council exists through appointment by presidential decree," Abdulkadir said.
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He said the proposed policy would provide the legal framework for moving the council to an election-based system.
"The policy will set out how members elect one another," he said. "It will define the electoral system, the leadership structure, the number of members, how the council operates and the rights it will have."
The minister said the reforms were intended to establish a more structured and transparent framework for the National Youth Council, responding to public questions over how its members are selected and how the institution functions.
He did not say when the policy would be submitted to the cabinet or when elections for the council could take place, but said the electoral system would be introduced once the policy receives government approval.