The chair of the African Union Commission (AUC) has given a positive assessment of the local council elections held in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.
The elections on Thursday marked the first time in more than 50 years that voters in the city directly chose their representatives.
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf termed the election as an important initial step in Somalia's effort to advance democratic governance, according to a statement on Friday.
He urged Somali political stakeholders to embrace “dialogue and inclusive consultation” to support the country’s unity and stability.
Youssouf reaffirmed the African Union’s continued commitment to supporting Somali people in their efforts to strengthen governance and lasting peace and stability.
Meanwhile, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) has welcomed the conduct of the local council elections in Mogadishu.
The mission termed the vote a historic milestone in “Somalia’s democratic evolution, security transition, and state-building process”.
“For the first time in decades, citizens in Mogadishu had the opportunity to directly choose their local leadership through the ballot by universal vote,” said the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) and Head of AUSSOM, Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene.
He praised the peaceful conduct of the polls and the strong participation by voters.
Ambassador Diene commended Somalia’s government and national security agencies for ensuring a secure environment during the elections.
