By Maxamed Cusman Cali (Gaanjo)
Waajid, Bakool Region, South West State Somalia

In a landmark three-day visit,October 25–27, 2025, that blended politics, public service, and symbolism, Somalia’s Minister of Ports and Maritime Transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, returned to his electoral constituency of Waajid for what many residents described as the most high-profile federal visit in the district’s modern history.

Waajid, once a thriving hub of commerce in the Bakool region, spent over a decade strangled by militant blockades that shattered its economy, restricted movement, and isolated it from the rest of the country. Now slowly recovering, the town saw an eruption of joy as hundreds poured into the streets to welcome the federal delegation.

A Historic Homecoming

The minister, accompanied by roughly 50 officials, made the journey from Mogadishu to Waajid to launch the voter registration campaign and distribute voter ID cards—a critical step in Somalia’s long-awaited shift toward a universal suffrage system. The visit marked the first time a sitting Somali cabinet minister returned to his constituency specifically to mobilize voters and spearhead democratic participation.

Residents lined the dusty roads, chanting, dancing, and waving Somali flags. Women in vibrant shawls, elders leaning on decorated sticks, and youth groups with microphones took turns expressing hope that the visit would bring renewed attention—and resources—to a district that has suffered more than most.“This is more than a political visit,” one elder told Wardheernews. “It is a message that Waajid is again part of Somalia.”

Launching a New Democratic Chapter

At the center of the trip was the formal opening of the voter registration exercise. The National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) had been preparing for weeks, training enumerators and setting up registration centers across the district.

The minister became the first Waajid resident to register and receive a voter ID card, a symbolic gesture underscoring his call for citizens to embrace the one-person-one-vote system after years of clan-based, indirect electoral processes.

“This is a historic opportunity. Waajid will not be left behind,” the minister said during the ceremony.
NIEC officials reported that more than 23,000 residents registered within just 20 days—a remarkable turnout for a district still struggling with insecurity and limited infrastructure. No other district in Bay, Bakool, and Xudur, has ever recorded such a high number of registered voters.

A Community Reawakens

The excitement around voter registration reflected a broader shift in public engagement. Women walked long distances from rural villages to stand in line at registration centers. Youth groups set up awareness campaigns, while community radio stations broadcast daily reminders encouraging residents to register early.

For a district once cut off from schools, clinics, and markets, renewed civic participation signaled a return not only to political life but to normalcy.

“People finally feel seen,” said a local teacher. “For years we lived as if we were forgotten.”

Development Efforts Take Center Stage

Beyond voter registration, the minister also inaugurated several community projects supported by the Barey & Maayaquus Foundation, an initiative he established to support education, health, and social welfare in the region.

Among the completed projects were three newly built Quranic schools, constructed to modern standards and designed to complement the district’s formal education system. The foundation also provides:

• Monthly salaries for teachers
• Financial aid for families unable to pay school fees
• Medical equipment and medicine for local health centers
• Food, water, and humanitarian support for vulnerable households

Community leaders described the foundation as “one of the few reliable lifelines Waajid has had in recent years.”

Consultation and Collaboration

During the visit, the minister held lengthy meetings with district authorities, traditional elders, women’s groups, youth organizations, and religious leaders. Discussions focused on improving public services, enhancing cooperation between local and federal institutions, deepening voter education, and ensuring security for upcoming phases of the electoral process.

In these meetings, elders expressed gratitude for the minister’s repeated visits—uncommon in a region where insecurity often deters senior officials.

A District Transformed—At Least Momentarily

For three days, Waajid looked nothing like the besieged town it had been for years. Streets were orderly, marketplaces were lively, and security forces coordinated seamlessly with local volunteers. The presence of federal officials brought an unusual calm and optimism.

Local authorities reported improved cooperation among community groups, a surge in volunteerism, and renewed confidence in government structures.

“It felt like a new Waajid,” a youth organizer said. “We hope this spirit continues long after the delegation leaves.”

A Visit That Might Shape the Future

The minister’s trip, while brief, carried outsized symbolic and practical importance. It boosted the morale of a community long accustomed to hardship and aligned Waajid with national aspirations for democratic reform.

As Somalia moves—imperfectly but decisively—toward universal suffrage, the enthusiasm witnessed in Waajid may serve as a model for other districts emerging from conflict.

Whether this momentum can be sustained will depend on continued political will, security stability, and government follow-through. But for now, Waajid has reclaimed its voice, and its people have shown they are eager to use it.

By Maxamed Cusman Cali (Gaanjo)
Waajid, Bakool Region, South West State Somalia