Mogadishu Holds Peaceful First Local Elections in Decades Despite Disinformation Challenges

Somalia’s first direct local elections in nearly 60 years concluded peacefully in Mogadishu, though a surge in misinformation threatened to undermine the historic democratic milestone, according to a comprehensive report released Wednesday by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ).

The December 25 Banadir local council elections represented the capital’s first direct vote since 1969, with 1,604 candidates vying for 390 seats across the city’s 16 districts. The NUSOJ assessment, based on structured monitoring conducted between November and December 2025, highlighted both achievements and challenges in Somalia’s democratic transition.

“Somalia’s democratic transition will depend not only on peaceful voting but also on the integrity of the information citizens rely on to make their choices,” said NUSOJ Secretary General Omar Faruk Osman. “Professional journalism can strengthen elections, but disinformation is becoming a direct threat to democratic trust.”

Authorities implemented extensive security protocols, deploying approximately 10,000 troops and imposing a citywide lockdown on election day. Despite these restrictions, observers documented no incidents of election-related violence—a remarkable achievement in a country with a history of political instability.

The media landscape during the election period revealed significant disparities in coverage quality. Radio emerged as the dominant medium, reaching 58% of the electorate, with television and online media capturing 29% and 13% of audience share respectively. Print media played a negligible role, with only one independent newspaper still in circulation.

Private media outlets generally provided the most balanced coverage, adhering to a code of conduct established in partnership with the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) and the Ministry of Information. Several private organizations demonstrated professional responsibility by promptly correcting errors that could have inflamed political or clan tensions.

In contrast, state media faced criticism for exhibiting clear bias toward the ruling Justice and Solidarity Party while failing to provide equitable access to opposition candidates. The report also noted concerning instances where ownership interests compromised editorial independence at certain private outlets.

Disinformation emerged as one of the election’s most significant challenges. False narratives circulated at moderate to high levels before voting, briefly subsided on election day, then surged dramatically in the aftermath. The report identified multiple sources of misinformation, including government-aligned communicators, opposition politicians, and ordinary citizens, with social media algorithms and foreign-operated accounts amplifying divisive content.

The NUSOJ accredited 40 media organizations, comprising 28 local and 12 international outlets, with 94 journalists receiving credentials. While accreditation generally facilitated comprehensive coverage, inconsistent enforcement of access protocols and the inclusion of social media influencers alongside traditional journalists created confusion at some polling stations.

On-the-ground observation revealed that 70-75% of polling stations opened punctually, with voters typically completing the process in four to six minutes. Initial police restrictions on movement between 5 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. temporarily hampered journalists’ access until NUSOJ successfully intervened with authorities.

The organization had prepared for the electoral milestone by training 102 journalists in partnership with the NIEBC, focusing on electoral procedures, ethics, and professional standards—efforts that contributed to improved coverage and public understanding.

While concluding that the Banadir elections were “peaceful, orderly and encouragingly successful,” NUSOJ emphasized that future elections will require stronger protections for media freedom, more equitable access for all political actors, enhanced transparency in official communications, and robust mechanisms to counter disinformation.

“The lesson is clear,” Osman stated. “Media freedom is not optional. It is a benchmark for credible elections.”

The successful completion of these local elections establishes a foundation for Somalia’s continued democratic development as the nation prepares for eventual direct national elections, offering hope for sustainable political stability in a region long plagued by conflict and instability.