Somalia has announced plans to hold parliamentary elections on April 15, 2027, and presidential elections on May 15, amid growing political divisions and concerns over security challenges in the country.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the country’s Election Commission, as uncertainty persists over the electoral process and the future of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration.
Mohamud’s presidential term expired earlier this year, but his government declared a transition period in May despite an agreement with opposition groups on the conduct of elections.
The president has been pushing to replace Somalia’s traditional indirect electoral system, in which clan elders play a central role, with a system based on democratic elections.
However, the proposed reforms have faced resistance from regional leaders, who have accused the federal government of seeking to consolidate power at their expense.
Security challenges have also complicated preparations for the elections, with Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab controlling significant parts of the country. Progress towards organising the polls has so far remained limited to a few localised areas.
In its statement, the Election Commission said the presidential election date was based on a constitutional provision stipulating that the president’s tenure lasts five years from the date of inauguration.
Mohamud, who assumed office in 2022, has argued that constitutional amendments passed by parliament earlier this year extended his tenure by one year. The changes also established a framework for the proposed electoral process.
Opposition parties, however, boycotted the parliamentary vote on the amendments and have rejected the changes, deepening the political dispute over the timing and legitimacy of the next elections.
The newly announced timetable sets out the planned dates for the two elections, although political disagreements and persistent insecurity remain significant challenges to their organisation.
