From Elections to Expectations: Citizen Perspectives and Municipal Governance in Qardho - Somali Public Agenda

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From Elections to Expectations: Citizen Perspectives and Municipal Governance in Qardho

Qardho residents expressed high expectations for improved public services, accountability, and responsive governance following the introduction of democratic local council elections in Puntland in 2021.

A multi-stakeholder dialogue between citizens and municipal authorities revealed significant service delivery concerns, including limited access to health services in some neighbourhoods, poor road infrastructure, sanitation challenges, and security risks linked to inadequate street lighting and transportation infrastructure.

Municipal authorities acknowledged these challenges but emphasised that the municipality faces severe financial constraints due to a limited revenue base and low tax compliance, which restrict its capacity to finance development projects.

Participants also highlighted socio-economic challenges affecting youth, including unemployment, irregular migration, and the growing social impacts of gambling and substance abuse.

Despite these challenges, the dialogue demonstrated a strong willingness among citizens to contribute to local development, highlighting opportunities to strengthen participatory governance, improve municipal–community collaboration, and build a stronger local social contract.

From Elections to Expectations: Citizen Perspectives and Municipal Governance in Qardho

SPA_Governance_Briefs_45_2026_ENGLISH

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Farhia Mohamud

Farhia Mohamud is a researcher at Somali Public Agenda (SPA).

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Somali Public Agenda (SPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan, and independent public policy and administration research and action organization based in Mogadishu. It aims to advance understanding and improvement of public policy and services in Somalia through evidence-based research and analysis, dialogue, policy and service design, and training.

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