Somalia says it will return to direct elections for officials beginning next year.

MOGADISHU (Reuters) – The government of Somalia declared on Sunday that it would begin choosing its president and other officials by direct ballot next year, ending a system of indirect voting in the Horn of Africa nation that has survived three decades of violence and clan fights.

In recent years, MPs voted for the president amid severe insecurity caused by an Islamist insurgency and weak state infrastructure, while clan leaders and elders chose lawmakers in both the federal government and regional administrations.

The nation was supposed to return to universal suffrage in 2020, but lengthy squabbles among legislators and widespread insecurity compelled the administration to keep the indirect ballot.

“Starting next year, there will be a one-person, one-vote election held every five years,” Somalia’s official broadcaster SONNA tweeted.

The post of Prime Minister will be eliminated as well.

“The Premiership will be abolished and replaced by a presidential system in which the president and vice president are directly elected by the people on a single ticket.”

The decision was made during a four-day summit in Mogadishu, which was presided over by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. SONNA did not reveal who else attended the meeting.

According to the announcement, just two political parties will be permitted to contest in the elections.

According to the statement, the first nationwide local council elections under the new system would be conducted in June next year, with voting for regional legislators taking place in November 2024.

Mohamud, who has a five-year term, was chosen by MPs in May of last year.