Mogadishu – Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on Tuesday attended a large public rally organized by residents of the Karaan district in the Banadir region, where participants expressed their readiness to take part in the upcoming “one person, one vote” elections scheduled for later this week.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Hamza described the moment as a historic turning point in Somalia’s state-building journey, emphasizing that the forthcoming elections mark the beginning of a new era grounded in the will of the people and their constitutional right to freely and directly choose their leaders.

He stated that the coming days would represent a qualitative transformation for Banadir and Somalia as a whole, noting that the transition to direct popular elections reflects growing political maturity and lays the foundation for a governance system driven by citizens’ choices.

The Prime Minister underscored that authority and governance are the inherent rights of the Somali people, calling on all aspiring leaders to seek public trust through the ballot box. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to organizing free, fair, and credible elections that genuinely reflect voters’ will.

He also noted that Somalia has endured long periods of political crisis and the absence of popular choice, but stressed that the country is now turning that page and moving toward a future defined by stability, unity, and sustainable development.

Prime Minister Hamza concluded by reaffirming the government’s determination to support the democratic process, strengthen public participation, and consolidate the rule of law and institutional governance in line with the aspirations of the Somali people.

From a policy perspective, the rally highlights the government’s effort to mobilize public legitimacy for Somalia’s first direct local elections in decades and to frame the process as a cornerstone of democratic transition.