Mogadishu – Somali security authorities have announced the deployment of 10,000 police officers to secure the local council elections scheduled for December 25 in Mogadishu.
Speaking ahead of the elections, Minister of Internal Security Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail “Fartaag” stated that police forces have completed all necessary security arrangements to ensure a safe and orderly voting process across the capital. He noted that the deployment is part of broader efforts to protect Somalia’s first direct local elections in decades.
“The Somali Police Force is fully prepared and capable of securing the elections. All required preparations have been finalized,” the minister said, emphasizing that the protection of voters, polling stations, and election personnel remains the top priority.
The local council elections are widely regarded as a milestone in Somalia’s democratic transition, marking the first time in more than half a century that the “one person, one vote” principle is being applied at the municipal level.
Security agencies have intensified patrols, intelligence coordination, and checkpoint operations throughout Mogadishu amid concerns over potential threats from armed groups seeking to disrupt the electoral process.
Officials have indicated that the successful conduct of the local elections will lay the groundwork for future parliamentary and presidential elections scheduled for 2026.
