Politics · Other · 11 hrs ago
Somalia schedules parliamentary and presidential elections for 2027
Somalia’s election commission has scheduled national elections for 2027, with parliamentary polls on April 15 and a presidential vote on May 15.
The plan involves President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s government and opposition groups, which reject the constitutional changes made in May.
Mohamud has sought to replace a system in which clan elders choose lawmakers with party-based elections.
His term began in 2022 and ended earlier this year, but his government declared a transition period and says the amended constitution sets the election framework.
Opposition parties boycotted the constitutional vote and say the changes are not legitimate.
Former presidents and other critics warn that proceeding without a political agreement could deepen divisions and lead to conflict.
The government is urging all parties to take part peacefully, but the announcement gives no indication that an agreement has been reached.
Somalia’s election commission announced that parliamentary elections will be held on April 15, 2027, and a presidential election on May 15.
The announcement was made on Thursday by election commission chief Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan.
Opposition parties have rejected constitutional changes made by the government and say the election process lacks agreement.
Former leaders and critics warned that proceeding without agreement could deepen political divisions and risk conflict.
The government welcomed the dates as a step towards strengthening the country’s democratic system.
- Who
- Somalia’s election commission announced the dates; the elections are for parliament and the presidency.
- What
- Parliamentary elections are scheduled for April 15, 2027, and a presidential vote for May 15, 2027.
- When
- The announcement was made on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- Where
- Somalia.
- Why
- The commission said the presidential vote date follows a rule setting the president’s term at five years from the date of being sworn in.
Somali government
Opposition and critics
Election process
Somali government
The government called on all parties to engage peacefully and in good faith.
Opposition and critics
Opposition parties rejected the constitutional changes, and critics say there is no political agreement to hold the elections.
Move to party-based elections
Somali government
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is seeking to replace a system based on clan elders with party-based elections.
Opposition and critics
Critics and regional leaders view the move as a power grab.
Consequences of proceeding
Somali government
The government described the dates as an important stage towards reinforcing democracy.
Opposition and critics
Critics warned that a contested process could lead to parallel elections, further fragmentation or conflict.
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud began his second term as president.
The government declared a transition period through a constitutional amendment, which opposition parties boycotted and rejected.
Election commission chief Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan announced the election schedule.
Parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place.
The presidential vote is scheduled to take place.
- Parliamentary elections
- April 15, 2027
- Presidential election
- May 15, 2027
- Election commission chief
- Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan
- President
- Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
- Presidential term rule
- Five years from the date the president is sworn into office
3 sources
What people are saying
dangerous threat to Somalia’s statehood and future
contested [electoral] process could lead to parallel elections
There’s no political agreement to hold those elections
important stage … towards reinforcing the country’s democratic system