The National Independent Electoral Commission of Somalia announced today that the five political organizations registered so far are the official and legitimate stakeholders in the country’s political process.

Speaking at a major ceremony to award certificates to the newly registered parties, Commission Chairman Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan stated that these five political parties are now eligible to participate in the upcoming local council elections and are recognized as the legitimate political stakeholders.

“The five political organizations we have registered, the national government, and the Somali people are the true stakeholders in the country’s political process,” said Chairman Hassan.

The Chairman of the National Independent Electoral Commission has announced that five political organizations have officially registered and are considered the legitimate stakeholders in Somalia’s political process. However, the images released show only three political organizations – the People’s Party, the Democratic Reform Party, and the Reconciliation and Development Party. Meanwhile, the Union of Somalia Party had previously received its certificate. This raises questions about the identity of the fifth party referred to by the commission. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s UPD party, which has not officially been confirmed as having received certification, is assumed to be the fifth, given its previously expressed support for the process.

This statement from the Electoral Commission comes a day after the international community called for the urgent convening of the national dialogue platform announced by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The international partners emphasized that the platform should include the Federal Government, Federal Member State leaders, political actors, and civil society representatives.

There has been considerable debate over who qualifies as a legitimate political stakeholder and who will participate in the platform proposed by the president.

The registration of political organizations officially opened on January 20 and will continue until April 20.