Author: Abdirizak Dahir

Somalia is on the brink of a historic change as it prepares for its first nationwide one-person, one-vote election in May 2026. This marks a significant departure from the clan-based political system that has dominated the country since 1969, when General Siad Barre seized power and established a regime that lasted until his ousting in 1991. The Shift from Clan-Based Politics. For decades, Somalia’s political landscape has been characterized by clan affiliations, with power being allocated among the major clans rather than through direct popular vote. This system was intended to maintain a balance among Somalia’s diverse clans, but it…