Mogadishu, Somalia – Cracks have formally emerged within Somalia’s opposition after four prominent political figures abandoned the Salvation Forum to launch a new political organization, reshaping the country’s fast-evolving electoral landscape.
Former Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, ex-Parliament Speakers Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden and Mohamed Mursal Sheikh Abdirahman, alongside former Information Minister Dahir Mohamud Geelle, announced their withdrawal from the opposition coalition on Saturday. The four leaders declared that they are uniting under a new political umbrella, signaling a major realignment just as Somalia prepares for multiparty politics.
The development comes only hours after the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) announced a two-week extension for political associations and voter registration, pushing the deadline to September 6, 2025. Analysts say the timing of the split suggests the group intends to capitalize on the extended registration window to secure recognition for their new movement.
The Salvation Forum, formed last year by veteran politicians critical of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration, has struggled to maintain cohesion amid competing ambitions. The exit of these heavyweight figures—who each command significant political and clan-based constituencies—deals a serious blow to the Forum’s credibility as a united opposition platform.
In a joint statement, the new bloc’s founders said their initiative seeks to “offer Somalis a credible, inclusive and reform-driven alternative that puts national interests above personal rivalries.” They pledged to unveil a full political program in the coming days and begin the process of registering as a political party under the current electoral framework.
Observers believe the emergence of the new organization could reshape coalition-building efforts ahead of the 2026 elections. With Somalia transitioning toward a multiparty system, the fragmentation of opposition forces may either dilute their influence or create new opportunities for alliances that could challenge the ruling administration.
So far, leaders of the Salvation Forum have not publicly responded to the defection, but insiders suggest efforts are underway to prevent further erosion of the coalition.
Political analysts warn that while the new grouping may inject fresh momentum into opposition politics, persistent fragmentation risks weakening the overall bargaining power of government critics at a critical time when Somalia is reforming its electoral laws and institutions.
