Mogadishu, SONNA – Women, including parliamentarians, politicians, and scholars, have voiced their support for the Banadir region community’s push to make Mogadishu a full regional state. The move, which aims to grant the capital city greater autonomy and representation, has been widely welcomed by various segments of society.
The women of Banadir region expressed their approval of the proposal by the regional governor, Mohamed Ahmed Amiir, who advocates for Mogadishu to attain regional state status and secure representation in the upper house of Somalia’s federal parliament. They emphasized the importance of inclusivity and equal representation in the country’s political processes.
In a show of solidarity, a sports event was held at the SOS sports stadium in Heliwaa district, Banadir region, to rally support for the initiative. The event highlighted the community’s desire for Mogadishu to become a regional state and underscored the need for one-person, one-vote elections to ensure democratic governance.
The broader Banadir community has also welcomed the proposal, praising the idea of granting Mogadishu a special status as a regional state. Many see this as a step toward strengthening the capital’s role in national decision-making and fostering greater political stability.
Governor Mohamed Ahmed Amiir, who also serves as the Mayor of Mogadishu, has been a vocal proponent of the initiative. He has called for the capital to receive full regional state status, arguing that it would ensure fair representation and address the unique challenges faced by the city.
The proposal was further discussed during a recent consultation meeting of regional state-level constitutional bodies, which focused on amending chapters 5 to 9 of Somalia’s interim constitution. During the meeting, the Speaker of the Upper House emphasized the need for Mogadishu to have at least 21 representatives in the upper house, reflecting the city’s significance as the nation’s capital.
The push to elevate Mogadishu to a regional state marks a significant moment in Somalia’s political landscape. If successful, it could pave the way for greater autonomy, improved governance, and enhanced representation for the people of Banadir region.
As the debate continues, the support from women, youth, and community leaders shows the growing momentum behind the initiative, with many hopeful that Mogadishu will soon take its place as a full regional state within Somalia’s federal framework.
