MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s government has intensified a coercive campaign to register voters for a contentious unilateral election, forcibly rounding up civilians at bus stations, markets, and public spaces in the capital, Mogadishu, witnesses and residents said.
The heavy-handed tactic, which has escalated in recent weeks, saw armed troops stationed at the bustling Bakara market on Wednesday, intercepting passersby and compelling them to register at a nearby center operated by the disputed National Election Commission.
The move has triggered widespread anger, with videos of torn voter IDs circulating on social media as a form of protest.
Hussein Sabrie, a local resident, recounted how his friend was captured by security forces before they could meet. “My friend Farahsane Mire, with whom I had an appointment to meet at the market, is being held by them. He told them, ‘I’m rushing somewhere, let me come back for you,’ but they still refused,” he said on X.
“Is President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud trying to turn people against one-person, one-vote election?,” he asked.
The government’s push for a unilateral one-person-one-vote model—opposed by federal states like Jubaland and Puntland, as well as opposition leaders—has drawn sharp criticism. Detractors argue the process is neither inclusive nor feasible, accusing Mohamud of using it to delay elections and consolidate power.
Earlier, authorities had shuttered schools and universities to force student registrations after voluntary sign-ups lagged. The U.S. has previously warned Mogadishu against unilaterally altering electoral and constitutional frameworks without consensus.
As public frustration mounts, the legitimacy of the election—and the government’s heavy-handed tactics—faces growing scrutiny.
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