MOGADISHU, Somalia – Long before the sun rose over the Indian Ocean this morning, thousands of Mogadishu residents had already taken their places in line, eager to participate in the capital’s first direct local council elections in over half a century. From the northern district of Karaan to the southern tip of Kahda, snaking queues of voters have formed outside polling stations, signaling a massive turnout for this landmark democratic exercise.
Reports from SONNA correspondents stationed across the Benadir region indicate a palpable sense of anticipation and determination among the electorate. In many districts, citizens began gathering as early as 3:00 AM, hours before the official opening of the voting centers. The crowds represent a cross-section of the city’s population, with elderly citizens standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the youth, all united by the common purpose of casting their ballots for their preferred district representatives.
Several voters interviewed by the Somali National News Agency expressed their enthusiasm and the weight of the moment. Many stated that they had been waiting for hours, unwilling to risk missing the opportunity to be among the first to vote. The sentiment on the ground is one of ownership and pride, as residents seize the chance to directly influence the administration of their local neighborhoods for the first time in decades.
The security atmosphere remains calm but vigilant. The Somali Police Force, which deployed extensively overnight, is managing the crowds and maintaining order at the station perimeters. Election officials inside the centers are conducting final checks on ballot boxes and biometric kits, preparing to welcome the first wave of voters as soon as the clock strikes the opening hour.
This surge of early voters demonstrates the public’s hunger for democratic participation. The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) had previously urged citizens to come out in large numbers, a call that appears to have been heeded with enthusiasm. As the gates prepare to swing open, Mogadishu is not just witnessing an election, but a profound shift in its political culture, driven by the patience and will of its people.
