Mogadishu (Dawan Africa) – Somalia’s National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) has announced the reopening of political party registration for two weeks, from August 23 to September 6, 2025.
In a statement released today after its meeting in Mogadishu, the Commission stressed the importance of expanding citizen participation and safeguarding constitutional rights:“The Commission has decided to reopen the registration of political associations for a period of two weeks starting August 23, 2025, until September 6, 2025. All political associations that missed the earlier deadline will now benefit from this opportunity,” the statement read.
The decision follows what the Commission described as growing public demand and petitions from political stakeholders ahead of upcoming elections.
Alongside the decision, the commission also confirmed October 30, 2025 as the date for the Banadir/Mogadishu local council elections — a critical test for Somalia’s emerging multiparty system.
Party registration had last closed on May 14, 2025, after 43 political associations were certified. Reopening the process is expected to broaden participation and boost legitimacy, though opposition figures warn it may weaken their bargaining power.