By Hassan Adan
Somalia’s National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) Chairman, Cabdikariim Axmed Xasan, has participated in the 10th Annual Continental Forum of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, joining election officials from across Africa to discuss ways of strengthening electoral governance and democratic institutions.
The two-day forum brought together representatives from 45 election management bodies, regional electoral networks and international organisations to exchange experiences and explore strategies for enhancing the credibility, transparency and inclusiveness of elections across the continent.
The discussions focused on improving electoral integrity, expanding the use of technology in election management, strengthening voter education programmes and addressing emerging challenges facing electoral processes in Africa.
Participants also explored ways of enhancing cooperation among election management bodies to promote peaceful and credible elections.
Somalia’s participation comes as the country advances electoral reforms aimed at expanding direct voting.
In December 2025, residents of Mogadishu cast their ballots in the capital’s first one-person, one-vote local council elections since the collapse of Somalia’s central government in 1991, marking a significant milestone in the country’s transition from an indirect clan-based electoral system to universal suffrage.
The electoral process has since expanded beyond the capital.
Earlier this year, South West State held one-person, one-vote local government elections, which authorities described as another step towards implementing nationwide direct elections.
The polls formed part of broader efforts by the federal government and electoral authorities to strengthen democratic governance and broaden public participation in the country’s electoral process.
Cabdikariim’s participation in the continental forum reflects Somalia’s continued engagement with regional electoral institutions as it seeks to strengthen its electoral system, improve institutional capacity and enhance public confidence in democratic governance.
The Annual Continental Forum of Election Management Bodies is one of Africa’s leading electoral governance platforms, bringing together election officials, policymakers and development partners to promote collaboration, capacity building and the exchange of best practices aimed at improving electoral processes across the continent.
