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The 2017 Somali presidential election
On 8 February 2017 the two houses of Somalia's Federal Parliament elected Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed 'Farmaajo' President. In the second round he had 184 votes, against 97 for the sitting President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and 46 for Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud conceded before a third round. The members of parliament had been chosen from October 2016 by close to 13,000 clan delegates, in a process the UN said was more peaceful and inclusive than 2012 despite bribery and intimidation of delegates.
In short
On 8 February 2017, 328 members of Somalia's two houses of parliament met in a Somali Air Force hangar at Mogadishu's international airport and elected Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed "Farmaajo" President. He led the second round with 184 votes. The sitting President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, had 97 and conceded (UNSOM, 8 February 2017).
The UN Secretary-General wrote that, "notwithstanding delays and cases of malpractice, including bribery and intimidation of delegates, the electoral process was more peaceful and inclusive than in 2012" (UN Security Council, S/2017/21, para. 3).
For the previous vote, see the 2012 presidential election. For the system as a whole, see elections in Somalia.
Choosing the Parliament, October to December 2016
From the UN Secretary-General's report of 9 January 2017 (S/2017/21, paras. 2–3):
- The start. After "prolonged negotiations over the details of the electoral model", federal parliamentary elections began on 15 October 2016.
- The voters. "Close to 13,000 delegates nationwide voted for the members of the lower house, while regional assemblies elected the members of the upper house."
- A new upper house. Parliament now had a 54-seat upper house and a 275-seat lower house. The new Parliament was inaugurated on 27 December 2016.
- Malpractice. The National Leadership Forum of federal and regional leaders set a code of conduct and a dispute body. "Verified cases of electoral malpractice prompted the Forum to order re-runs for five parliamentary seats."
- Women. Women held 24 per cent of lower house seats and 23 per cent of upper house seats, up from 14 per cent in 2012 but short of the 30 per cent target.
- Cost. The process cost $14 million: 60 per cent from international donors, 10 per cent from the federal government and 30 per cent from candidate fees.
The Speakers were chosen in January 2017: Mohamed Osman Jawari was re-elected Speaker of the House of the People on 11 January, and Abdi Hashi Abdullahi became Speaker of the Upper House on 22 January (S/2017/408, para. 2).
The vote, 8 February 2017
From the UN mission's statement on the day (UNSOM):
- The candidates. None of the 21 registered candidates won a two-thirds majority in the first round.
- Round two. Farmaajo 184, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud 97, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed 46. No one reached two-thirds, but the President conceded.
- The setting. The vote "was held at a Somali Air Force hangar at Mogadishu's international airport under tight security by AMISOM troops and Somali security forces". Speaker Jawari presided.
- The concession. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said: "I urge the people of Somalia both in the country and in the diaspora to support the new president and work very closely with him."
- The winner. Farmaajo said: "This is the beginning of the unity of the Somali people... I promise not to abuse your trust, to work justly and to support the poor."
Bribery claims
Al Jazeera's Mohammed Adow reported that sources in parliament said "huge sums of money were paid by some of the candidates", and one MP told him he had "received thousands from one of the presidential candidates". Rival camps accused each other and denied the claims. Al Jazeera gave the number who chose the MPs and senators as around 14,000 elders and regional figures (Al Jazeera, 8 February 2017).
After the vote
- 22 February 2017. Farmaajo was inaugurated, with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia and the Presidents of Djibouti and Kenya present (S/2017/408, para. 3).
- 23 February. He named Hassan Ali Khaire Prime Minister. Parliament endorsed him on 1 March and his 68-member cabinet on 29 March (same source, para. 4).
Who suffered?
- Clan elders and delegates. Suspected al-Shabaab gunmen "gunned down six clan elders and two electoral delegates" in attacks on 20 October, 2, 6, 9 and 29 November, and 11 and 28 December 2016 (S/2017/21). See al-Shabaab.
- Delegates who faced bribery and intimidation, as the UN recorded (S/2017/21).
Sources differ
- How many chose the Parliament. The UN gives "close to 13,000 delegates" for the lower house. Al Jazeera gives around 14,000 elders and regional figures for both houses.
- How clean the vote was. The UN called the process more peaceful and inclusive than 2012, while recording bribery, intimidation and five re-runs. Al Jazeera's sources described large payments by candidates, which the camps denied.
Read the primary sources yourself
Sources
- UNSOM, 8 February 2017 · unsom.unmissions.org
- UN Security Council, S/2017/21, para. 3 · documents.un.org
- S/2017/408, para. 2 · documents.un.org
- Al Jazeera, 8 February 2017 · aljazeera.com
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Where it happened
Same era
- Australia18,401 people of Somali ancestry and 8,101 born in Somalia lived in Australia at the 2021 Census, more than half in Victoria. History, work, issues.
- Birmingham (Somali diaspora)About 17,000 to 21,600 Somalis live in Birmingham (Census 2021), mostly in Nechells, Newtown, Small Heath and Alum Rock. History, work, health and ties home.
- Bristol (Somali diaspora)9,167 people in Bristol identified as Somali or Somalilander in Census 2021, the city's largest minority group. Where they live, work, housing, leaders and ties home.
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada2,845 people of Somali origin lived in Calgary at the 2021 Census, plus 890 in Brooks. How they came, who serves them and what they face.
- Denmark (Somali diaspora)21,885 people of Somali origin lived in Denmark in 2026, half born there. Numbers, history, work, permit reviews, and ties home.
- DjiboutiAbout 13,900 refugees from Somalia live in Djibouti (Aug 2026): numbers since 1990, Ali Addeh, Holl-Holl, the 2017 refugee law, Arta 2000 and 2025 returns.
Keep reading
- The 2012 Somali presidential electionThe 2012 presidential election: the end of the transition, the 275 MPs chosen by elders, the vote of 10 September, bribery claims, and the new government.
- The 2016 Somali parliamentary electionSomalia's 2016 indirect parliamentary election: the elders and electoral colleges, the new Upper House, the 4.5 formula, malpractice and re-runs, women's seats, and the result.
- The 2017 Somaliland presidential electionSomaliland's 2017 presidential vote: the delays, the iris-scan register, the three candidates, results, the social media ban, the Burao shootings and the dispute.
- The 2021 Somaliland parliamentary and local electionsSomaliland's joint parliamentary and local council elections of 31 May 2021: the delay since 2005, the results, the opposition majority, women, and what observers found.
- The war in Somalia, 2009 to nowThe war since 2009: al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam against the government and AU troops, the 2011 Mogadishu withdrawal and famine, Kismayo, the 2022 offensive and 2025.
- The 2022 Somali presidential electionThe 2021–2022 election: the expired term, the April 2021 extension and fighting, the delegate vote, the three rounds of 15 May 2022 and the result.