Nasa Ige pledges female prime minister in 2026 push for top seat in Somalia

Somali presidential hopeful Nasa Ige has ignited debate across the country after pledging to appoint a woman as Prime Minister if he wins the 2026 election, a move that would mark a historic first in Somalia’s politics.

Speaking at a community engagement forum, Ige said his presidency would deliberately shift power toward young people and women, whom he described as central to rebuilding the nation.

“Women are the foundation of state-building. If I become President of Somalia, I will appoint a woman as Prime Minister,” Ige said.

Ige argued that Somalia’s prolonged political and governance challenges are rooted in the concentration of power among a narrow political elite, leaving youth and women sidelined. Real change, he said, will only come through generational renewal.

Under his Somali Youth Party (SYP), Ige promised a government that places young people at the heart of decision-making, with women holding visible and influential leadership roles.

“More than 25 years after the collapse of the central government, Somalia is still trapped in uncertainty because power has been monopolised by a few. My vision is to return authority to a new generation,” he said.

The pledge, he says, has resonated strongly with young Somalis and women’s groups, many of whom see it as a rare and meaningful commitment to inclusive leadership in a political system where women remain underrepresented.

Ige brings experience at the highest levels of government, having previously served as Advisor for International Relations and Programme Coordinator to the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, as well as Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, making him one of the youngest figures to advise both offices at different times.

As the 2026 race gathers momentum, Ige’s promise is positioning him as a candidate betting on youth, gender inclusion, and generational change to reshape Somalia’s political future.