Mogadishu, Somalia – The political landscape in Somalia has been jolted by a wave of criticism directed at President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration, with opposition leaders and two federal member states accusing the government of neglecting security priorities and weakening national consensus.
The Somali Salvation Forum — a coalition featuring former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, ex-prime ministers Mohamed Hussein Roble and Hassan Ali Khaire, alongside other senior figures — issued a statement warning that Al-Shabaab militants were regaining ground. The group blamed what it described as the government’s preoccupation with political maneuvering and land disputes, arguing these distractions had undermined security operations. The Forum also expressed alarm over ongoing electoral reforms, alleging that they were designed to prolong mandates through controversial procedures.
Regional administrations have echoed these concerns. Jubaland’s leadership accused the federal government of failing to exercise effective leadership or earn the confidence of the Somali people. It called for renewed dialogue between Mogadishu and federal states, emphasizing that inclusive decision-making was essential to preserving stability.
In a parallel statement, Puntland warned that unilateral political actions from Mogadishu risked violating the 2012 Provisional Constitution and deepening existing divisions. It reiterated support for Somalia’s federal model and pressed for elections to be held on schedule, without delays or alterations to agreed frameworks.
The federal government has yet to respond to these accusations. The dispute comes at a sensitive moment, as Somalia continues to confront persistent Al-Shabaab insurgency threats while also facing mounting pressure to advance its state-building agenda.