Somalia’s constitutional and electoral transition is unfolding amid significant political uncertainty. Public debate remains largely elite-driven, with limited systematic evidence on how citizens understand democratic principles, electoral legitimacy, political mediation, and government accountability. This study addresses that gap through a May-June 2026 public opinion poll conducted across Mogadishu and five Federal Member State capitals, reaching 928 respondents. The analysis examines which democratic principles citizens prioritize, which actors they trust to mediate political disputes, which institutions they trust to manage or oversee elections, and which issues they want political leaders to communicate about more openly.

The findings show that citizens express strong support for democratic reform in principle, but their preferences become more complex when democratic goals are weighed against peace, stability, term limits, press freedom, and public participation. Nearly nine in ten respondents say it is important that Somalia’s leadership be elected through one-personone- vote elections. However, when asked to choose between competing priorities, many place substantial weight on peace and stability. Women are especially likely to prioritize stability, while respondents who believe the presidential term has already ended, and those who are more politically engaged, are more willing to prioritize competing democratic objectives.