Somalia says it will hold presidential election in May 2027
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's term was due to end in May this year.
Somalia has announced that it will conduct presidential elections on May 15, 2027, according to the country's electoral commission. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's current term is set to conclude in May 2026, but recent constitutional amendments approved by lawmakers in March could potentially extend his term by an additional year. This decision has sparked criticism from the opposition, who argue that the extension undermines democratic principles.
The incumbent government has faced significant challenges in its efforts to combat the al Qaeda-affiliated militant group al Shabaab, which has been engaged in a two-decade-long conflict with Somalia's central government. Despite the military's successes, bolstered by an African Union peacekeeping mission, al Shabaab continues to maintain control over large swaths of rural territory and can launch frequent attacks on major urban centers.
In addition to the presidential elections, the electoral commission confirmed that parliamentary elections will take place on April 15, 2027. These elections will determine the composition of both the lower and upper houses of the Somali parliament. The country's electoral chairperson, Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, announced these electoral dates via the state broadcaster, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming vote.
Written by urgent.news from SABC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
