Mogadishu, Somalia – Somalia’s Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi and Ports Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur launched sharp criticism against opposition leaders on Sunday, accusing them of undermining national unity by rejecting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s recent call for political dialogue.
Labeling the opposition as a “problematic force,” the ministers claimed the group was pushing a “foreign-sponsored agenda” — a grave allegation that has not been independently verified. The accusations come amid rising political tensions, with government officials increasingly frustrated by what they see as deliberate obstruction by rivals.
President Mohamud had recently urged all political actors to engage in a national dialogue aimed at easing divisions and strengthening Somalia’s fragile democratic institutions. The opposition’s refusal to participate has sparked renewed concerns about potential instability.
“These individuals are not just rejecting dialogue — they are actively working against the interests of Somalia, influenced by external agendas,” said Fiqi in a televised statement.
Observers warn that such rhetoric, if left unchecked, could deepen polarization and raise questions about the influence of foreign actors in Somalia’s domestic politics — an issue with historical precedence in the Horn of Africa.
Despite the charged accusations, no concrete evidence has been presented to support claims of foreign sponsorship. Opposition leaders have not yet issued an official response to the ministers’ remarks.