Somalia’s 2026 Mandate Test: Navigating Elections and Federal Tensions
The constitutions of the Federal Member States (FMS) place the administration of state and local elections under their jurisdiction. In practice, Puntland and Jubaland have independently managed their indirect elections, while the federal government has generally overseen those of Southwest, Hirshabelle, and Galmudug. In 2023, as part of constitutional talks to complete the provisional charter, Somalia’s National Consultative Council — with the exception of Puntland — decided to unify the federal government and FMS election timelines. The stated rationale, set out in the NCC communiqué, was to avoid the country holding near yearly elections.
Following that decision, the federal government — with backing from some FMS — amended the constitution and enacted the Electoral Law, Political Parties Law, and Boundaries and Election Commission Law. These changes transferred responsibility for organizing local, regional, and national elections to Mogadishu and created a national commission to implement the new laws.
This policy brief examines the federal government’s evolving role in FMS elections, the competing interpretations of constitutional authority, and the political and logistical obstacles to direct voting. It draws on key informant interviews with political figures, civil society actors, researchers, and election experts, as well as document analysis of Somalia’s federal and state constitutions and electoral laws.
Somalia’s 2026 Mandate Test: Navigating Elections and Federal Tensions
Dastuurrada Dowlad Goboleedyada Federaalka ayaa awoodda qabashada doorashooyinka heer dowlad goboleed iyo kuwa heer deegaanba hoos gaynaya maamulkooda. Dhab ahaan, Puntland iyo Jubbaland ayaa si madaxbannaan u maamushay doorashooyinkoodii dadbanaa, halka ay dowladda federaalku kormeer guud ku lahayd kuwii Koonfurgalbeed, Hirshabelle, iyo Galmudug.
Sannadkii 2023, ayay Dowladda Faderaalka iyo Golaha Wadatashiga Qaranka — oo aanay ku jirin Puntland yeesheen kulammo ay kaga arrinsanayeen dhammaystirka dastuurka kumeelgaadhka, kaas oo ay ka soo baxday in la mideeyo jadwalka qabashada doorashooyinka dowladda dhexe iyo kuwa dowlad goboleedyada. Warmurtiyeedkii ay soo saareen Golaha Wadatashiga Qaranku ayaa daarnaa in laga fogaado doorashooyinka sannad walba la qabanayo.
Go’aankaas kadib, dowladda federaalku – oo ay weheliyaan qaar ka mid ah dowlad-goboleedyadu – ayaa waxkabeddel ku sameeyay dastuurka- iyaga oo wax ka meelmariyay Xeerka Doorashooyinka, Xeerka Xisbiyada Siyaasadda, iyo Xeerka Guddida Xuduudaha iyo Doorashooyinka. Waxkabeddelkaasi waxa uu maamulka doorashooyinka heer degmo, gobol, iyo qaranba ku wareejinayay maamulka Muqdisho, waxaana halkaas lagu aasaasay guddi qaran oo loo xilsaaray hirgelinta shuruucda cusub.
Warbixintan koobani, waxa ay qiimaynaysaa doorka sii kordhaya ee ay dowladda federaalku ku leedahay doorashooyinka dowlad-goboleedyada, fahanka hirdanka awoodaha dastuuriga ah, iyo caqabadaha siyaasadeed iyo kuwo farsamo ee ku gudban in dalka oo dhan laga qabto doorasho qof iyo cod ah. Warbixintani waxa ay dabqaadanaysaa waraysiyo lala yeeshay siyaasiin, bulshada rayidka ah, cilmibaadhayaal iyo dad khibrad u leh doorashooyinka. Waxa ay sida oo kale lafaguraysaa dokementiyada dastuurka federaalka iyo kuwa dowlad goboleedyada iyo weliba shuruucda doorashooyinka.
Qiimaynta Muddo-xileedka Soomaaliya ee 2026 Hagidda Doorashooyinka iyo Xiisadaha Faderaalka