Thursday February 20, 2025

Mogadishu Mayor and Governor of Banadir Region, Mohamed Ahmed Amiir, speaks at a voter awareness conference in the Somali capital, emphasizing the importance of transitioning to a one-person, one-vote electoral system. CREDIT / SONNA

Mogadishu (HOL) — The Mayor of Mogadishu and Governor of Banaadir Region, Mohamed Ahmed Amiir, has rejected public criticism over the capital’s poor sanitation and deteriorating infrastructure, stating that he cannot be held accountable since he was not elected by residents.

Speaking at a voter awareness conference under the slogan “Let’s Embrace One Man, One Vote,“ Amiir dismissed criticism over Mogadishu’s deteriorating infrastructure and sanitation, arguing that his administration should not be blamed since the people did not elect him.

“You cannot hold me responsible for the poor condition of roads and sanitation in this city,” Amiir said. “But if you had elected me, then you would have had the right to demand accountability.”

“The Banadir Regional Administration is committed to bringing one-person, one-vote elections to the people of the capital, so they can elect a leadership that is an administrative entity and not imposed through nomination,” Amiir added.

He announced that the marking of voter registration and polling sites in Banadir had been completed, a crucial step in laying the groundwork for local elections.

Amir’s remarks come amid growing frustration from Mogadishu residents over unpaved roads, inefficient waste management, and a lack of public services. Critics argue that the federal government’s continued appointment of mayors has weakened local governance and public trust.

Amiir was appointed as the Governor of Banadir Region and Mayor of Mogadishu in December 2024 by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. He succeeded Yusuf Hussein Jimale “Maddale.” Amiir, an economics, social development, and administration expert, officially assumed office during a handover ceremony on December 18. The president tasked him with advancing the capital’s development, enhancing public services, and preparing for inclusive local elections

At the same time, Somalia is navigating an attempt to shift from an indirect electoral system—where government officials control key appointments—to a direct voting process that would grant citizens the power to elect their leaders. Unlike other federal member states, Mogadishu remains under federal oversight, with its mayor selected by the president rather than chosen through the ballot box.

The Banadir Regional Administration organized the conference to educate the public about Somalia’s electoral history and emphasize the importance of transitioning to a one-person, one-vote system. The event was attended by government ministers, lawmakers, district commissioners, religious scholars, youth leaders, and representatives of marginalized communities.

Minister of Internal Security Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag said Banadir’s preparations for direct elections could serve as a precedent for the rest of Somalia.

“The preparation of the Banadir Regional Administration and the community for direct elections will open the door to one-person, one-vote elections throughout Somalia,” Fartaag said.

Despite being Somalia’s political and economic center, Mogadishu does not have the same governance structure as federal member states, where leaders are chosen through indirect elections. Instead, mayors of the capital have historically been appointed by the president, a system that has fueled concerns about transparency and local representation.

For decades, Somalia’s electoral system has relied on clan-based indirect elections, where elders and delegates select members of parliament, who then elect national leaders. While efforts to introduce universal suffrage have been ongoing, political disputes and security concerns have repeatedly delayed implementation.

Critics argue that this structure weakens governance, leading to mismanagement of public services. The lack of an elected mayor, they say, has contributed to Mogadishu’s chronic issues, including unpaved roads, inadequate drainage, and waste accumulation.