Mogadishu, Somalia – Former Somali President and opposition leader Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has issued a stark warning about the deteriorating security environment in the capital, alleging that Mogadishu is increasingly surrounded by Al-Shabaab militants as government forces are diverted away from their primary mission of defending the city.
Speaking at a press briefing on Saturday, Sharif accused the current administration of sidelining national security priorities in favor of political agendas and land disputes. He said many army units that should be securing the city’s outskirts and vital supply routes have instead been “redirected to politicking and land eviction,” creating a dangerous vacuum that insurgents are exploiting.
“The capital is encircled. Al-Shabaab is tightening its grip because our forces are being misused. If this continues, Mogadishu could face the same fate as Kabul, where the Taliban walked in unopposed,” Sharif said.
His remarks come amid ongoing concerns about the sustainability of Somalia’s security transition as African Union forces under AUSSOM gradually hand over responsibilities to the Somali National Army. With the drawdown scheduled to accelerate in coming months, questions remain over whether Somali forces can hold territory against the well-entrenched insurgency.
Sharif also cautioned against what he described as “politically motivated decisions” that could push international partners, including foreign troops and United Nations agencies, to scale back or withdraw their presence from Somalia. Such a move, he warned, would embolden extremists and leave the country vulnerable to a rapid takeover.
“The international community must not be forced out under the weight of domestic politics. If that happens, the consequences for Somalia and the region will be catastrophic,” he said.
Security analysts have noted a recent uptick in Al-Shabaab activity around Mogadishu, including ambushes on key supply roads and increased taxation in rural areas near the capital. Local residents have also voiced concerns that insecurity is creeping closer to the city, threatening commerce and mobility.
Sharif, who chairs the Council of Presidential Candidates (CPC), has been one of the most vocal critics of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s security policies, warning that internal political wrangling is undermining gains made against the insurgency.
His comments are likely to intensify debate as Somalia enters a politically sensitive period, with preparations underway for constitutional reforms and the roadmap toward the 2026 elections.