Somalia’s election authorities announce that the country will hold parliamentary and presidential elections next year, with parliamentary polls set for April and the presidential election for May. Multiple outlets report that the decision comes despite continued insecurity linked to an ongoing Islamist insurgency, with critics warning that holding elections may intensify violence in a fragmented political landscape.

The Japanese outlet says the government urges parties to participate peacefully and “in good faith,” while other reporting frames the move as part of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s efforts to deepen democratic processes. Free Malaysia Today adds that Mohamud is working to shift governance away from arrangements centered on clan elders, replacing them with elections. Coverage differs in emphasis—some focus on the security risks and potential for conflict, while others highlight the administration’s stated push toward elections—but all describe the same timetable and the context of instability.

Officials are calling for engagement with the electoral process, but the ultimate ability to conduct voting safely across Somalia remains a central concern across reports.