Interior Ministry Launches Training Program for Banadir Local Council Members

MOGADISHU, SONNA — The Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation of the Federal Government of Somalia, His Excellency Ali Yusuf Ali, officially inaugurated a training program on Saturday for Local Council Members from districts in the Banadir Region aimed at strengthening leadership capacity, improving local governance, enhancing legal implementation, and accelerating the delivery of social services. The opening ceremony was attended by the Chairperson of the Independent National Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan, the Governor of Banadir Region and Mayor of Mogadishu, Hassan Mohamed Hussein, alongside senior government officials and representatives from local institutions. Addressing participants at the event, Minister Ali Yusuf Ali (Hosh) said the training forms part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to strengthen local governance structures and advance democratic institution-building across the country.

This training reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to building effective local governance systems and strengthening democratic institutions. Local council members play a central role in improving basic services and ensuring communities are effectively represented at the local level,” said Minister Ali Yusuf Ali (Hosh).

The Chairperson of the Independent National Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan, stated that the first phase of the training will focus on the legal frameworks governing the work of local councils and political organizations, recently approved by the Council of Ministers. He also highlighted the continued expansion of Somalia’s one-person, one-vote electoral process.

The democratic process that began in Shangaani district is steadily expanding across the country, and today the momentum of one-person, one-vote elections is reaching the Southwest regions as part of our national vision to extend democratic participation to all Federal Member States,” said Chairman Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Banadir Region and Mayor of Mogadishu, Dr. Hassan Mohamed Hussein (Muungaab), described the training as an important milestone for the newly elected Banadir Regional Council.

The launch of this training for the recently elected Banadir Regional Council represents an important step toward strengthening local governance, public service delivery, and democratic participation in Mogadishu,” said Governor Mungab.