By Zakarie Hassan - Reporter
Somalia, 3 April 2026 – Somalia’s Banadir on Thursday swore in 390 local councillors following the region's first one-person, one-vote municipal elections in decades, marking a significant step toward restoring grassroots democratic governance.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Somali National University, where all council members elected in the Dec. 25, 2025 vote officially assumed office.
The councillors represent various political parties, with the party led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud securing the largest share with 177 seats. Towfiiq political party, led by Sheikh Shaakir Ali Hassan, won 49 seats, while Ramaas ranked third with 42 seats.
Banadir Regional Court Chairman Salah Ali Mahmoud said the swearing-in marked the final step in completing the electoral process.
“The electoral process cannot be considered complete without the swearing-in of the elected council,” he said.
The Chairman of the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC), Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, described the vote as a historic milestone.
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“Today marks the opening of a new democratic chapter,” he said. “We have come a long way to reach this moment.”
Banadir Governor and Mogadishu Mayor Hassan Mohamed Hussein ‘Muungaab’ said the capital was entering a new phase of governance.
“Mogadishu is transitioning from an appointed administration to one based on the will of the people,” he said.
The elections were formally validated by the Supreme Court, confirming the legality of the process.
The Banadir local council vote is widely seen as a key test case for Somalia’s broader ambition to implement universal suffrage nationwide.
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