Somalia Cabinet Approves Bill for Universal Suffrage

Somalia's cabinet has approved a bill that, pending parliamentary confirmation, could restore universal suffrage for the first time in over 55 years, moving away from the longstanding indirect voting system. This historic shift aims to allow citizens to directly elect their leaders, a process initially planned for 2020 but delayed due to political disputes and security issues stemming from the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab. Government spokesperson Farhan Jimale emphasized that the new election rules would enable 'one person, one vote nationally,' empowering citizens to vote directly for the first time. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who was elected by lawmakers in 2022, is a key advocate for this policy. However, significant challenges remain, including logistical issues and continued insecurity in regions controlled by al-Shabaab. If successful, this legislation would mark a transformative moment for Somalia's democratic process.