Somalia Interior Ministry Training for Banadir Council Members

MOGADISHU: The Federal Government of Somalia has launched a comprehensive training program for recently elected local council members in the Banadir Region, as part of a broader strategy to reinforce local governance structures and advance democratic institution-building across the country.

The Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation, Ali Yusuf Ali (Hosh), officially inaugurated the program on Saturday in Mogadishu, alongside the Chairperson of the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC), Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan, and the Governor of Banadir Region and Mayor of Mogadishu, Hassan Mohamed Hussein.

Training Initiative Targets Leadership and Service Delivery

The program is designed to strengthen leadership capacity, improve local governance, enhance legal implementation, and accelerate the delivery of essential social services at the district level. Addressing participants at the event, Minister Ali Yusuf Ali (Hosh) said the training forms part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to strengthen local governance structures and advance democratic institution-building across the country.

“This training reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to building effective local governance systems and strengthening democratic institutions. Local council members play a central role in improving basic services and ensuring communities are effectively represented at the local level,” said Minister Ali Yusuf Ali (Hosh).

Legal Framework Training for Council Members

The Chairperson of the NIEBC, Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan, announced that the first phase of the training will focus on the legal frameworks regulating the operations of local councils and political organizations, which were recently approved by the Council of Ministers.

Hassan also highlighted the continued expansion of Somalia’s one-person, one-vote electoral system, emphasizing that the democratic process is steadily advancing across the country.

The launch of the training program follows the historic local council elections held in Banadir Region on December 25, 2025, the first direct local elections in Mogadishu since 1969. Voters across the capital’s 16 districts elected district councillors in a one-person, one-vote process, marking a significant shift from the longstanding clan-based political system.

Strengthening Democratic Participation in Mogadishu

The Governor of Banadir Region and Mayor of Mogadishu, Dr. Hassan Mohamed Hussein (Muungaab), described the training as an important milestone for the newly elected Banadir Regional Council.

“The launch of this training for the recently elected Banadir Regional Council represents an important step toward strengthening local governance, public service delivery, and democratic participation in Mogadishu,” said Governor Mungab.

The training program is part of the Federal Government’s comprehensive efforts to reinforce local governance systems, advance democratic institution-building, and expand social services across Somalia’s regions. The government has pledged continued support for capacity-building initiatives aimed at empowering local leaders to effectively serve their communities.