By Asha Elmi

MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Somali Salvation Forum, comprising opposition groups to the federal government, has strongly opposed a return to the indirect electoral system used in 2022, calling instead for transparent direct elections based on the principle of one person, one vote.

In a statement issued on 31 May 2025, the Forum outlined three key conditions for the desired direct elections: that they be conducted under the 2012 Provisional Constitution agreed upon by Somalia’s stakeholders; in accordance with the political parties law ratified by the 9th Parliament; and under the electoral commission regulations approved by the 10th Parliament.

“The Forum opposes a return to the 2022 indirect elections and supports a transparent, mutually agreed electoral process,” the statement read.

The statement also emphasized the importance of national unity and cohesion, as well as safeguarding the foundational agreements of the Federal Republic of Somalia, which include:

• Federalism,
• Power-sharing,
• The parliamentary system,
• Four-year election cycles,
• And collective consensus guiding the state-building process.

The Somali salvation Forum, which includes former presidents, parliamentary speakers, ministers, and current federal MPs, issued the statement following a four-day consultative meeting held in Mogadishu from 27-31 May 2025.