Highlights: direct voting was cast in the Somali state of Puntland on Thursday. Thousands of voters turned out, even if part of the opposition denounced the conditions of its organization even before the vote. The semi-autonomous Somali state held this Thursday a first direct vote in Somalia in more than 50 years (if we exclude Somaliland which claims its independence) The last time was before 1969 when former dictator Siad Barré took power. It had been discussed for the presidential election held last May, but in the end, the promise had to be abandoned.

For this local election, qualified as "historic", thousands of voters turned out, even if part of the opposition denounced the conditions of its organization even before the vote.

Direct voting was cast in the Somali state of Puntland

For this local election, qualified as "historic", thousands of voters turned out, even if part of the opposition denounced the conditions of its organization even before the vote.

The displaced were sent to Puntland between Galkayo and Garowe. Here a view of the east of the town of Garowe (Illustration image). © Wikimedia Commons CC BY SA 3.0 Ahmed Nune

Text by: RFI Follow

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With our correspondent in Nairobi, Florence Morice

There were people in queues in Puntland on Thursday to elect district councillors according to the principle of "one person, one vote". For example, Abdulkadir Mohamed, 70, says of his "gratitude" and "joy". Or Ahmed Adan Omar who walked an hour and a half to vote, and hopes that his candidate will be elected to fight against the effects of climate change in the country...

Puntland, in northern Somalia, is a desert region that encompasses the Horn of Africa. RFI

These are just some of the many testimonies that have flourished in the Somali media. The semi-autonomous Somali state held this Thursday a first direct vote in Somalia in more than 50 years (if we exclude Somaliland which claims its independence). The last time was before 1969 when former dictator Siad Barré took power. It had been discussed for the presidential election held last May, but in the end, the promise had to be abandoned because of the Shebab insurgency in particular and in favor of an indirect election system that gives pride of place to negotiations between clans, powerful in the Somali political game.

These direct elections were therefore an important step. "Puntland is making history" on this "monumental" day, said the chairman of the electoral commission. In a statement, Somalia's partners, including the EU, the UN, Britain and Turkey, hope that these elections can "inspire the expansion of democracy across Somalia, at all levels of government".

But will this enthusiasm be enough to make us forget the smell of protest that surrounds this local election? It pits Puntland's ruling party against six opposition parties, some of which have accused the current president of manipulating the preparations for the vote and seeking to stay in power beyond his current term, which expires at the end of January.

In mid-May, this led to armed clashes on the outskirts of the capital Garowe. The election was postponed there and in two other districts for "security reasons". A context that worries some observers ahead of the legislative and regional elections scheduled for January 2024.

Direct voting was cast in the Somali state of Puntland

Direct voting was cast in the Somali state of Puntland

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