Muungaab Denies Allegations Regarding Voter Registration in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Governor of Banaadir Region and Mayor of Mogadishu, Mohamed Hassan Hussein (Muungaab), has firmly denied claims that residents of Mogadishu were forced to register for the local elections taking place in the capital. Muungaab emphasized that people came forward voluntarily to register, and no one was compelled to participate.

“I want to make it clear that the people of Mogadishu were not forced to register. They came of their own free will and expressed their wishes. Not a single person was coerced,” Muungaab said during an event held in the city.

His statement comes amid growing allegations from opposition politicians and some citizens claiming that security forces were deployed across the city to force people off the streets and into voter registration centers. These reports suggested that citizens were pressured into registering by being transported or herded to registration points.

However, Muungaab strongly rejected these claims, calling them “politicized stories aimed at disrupting the local election process.” He added that nearly one million people had registered for the elections, highlighting strong public participation in the process.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that the voter registration phase in Mogadishu has concluded. The local council elections in the capital are scheduled to take place in October this year. The Commission confirmed that the registration process was open, transparent, and conducted according to official procedures.

These elections mark the first formal local elections in Mogadishu since the collapse of Somalia’s central government. They are expected to pave the way for a district-based governance system, enabling more effective administration of the capital.

Political analysts and civil society members have welcomed this development, describing it as an important step toward rebuilding government institutions and promoting civic engagement. They have urged opposition politicians to avoid spreading baseless claims that could disrupt the electoral process.

The upcoming elections are seen as an opportunity for the citizens of Mogadishu to have a direct say in how their local affairs are managed. Observers hope the results will be widely accepted and lead to the establishment of accountable, transparent district administrations.

Ultimately, this electoral process demonstrates significant progress for Mogadishu in the field of democracy and citizen participation. It also reflects a growing commitment to strengthening governance in Somalia’s capital and promoting stability through inclusive local leadership.