Somalia’s top opposition figures have accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of authoritarianism, failed leadership, and pushing divisive reforms threatening national unity and federalism.
They condemned his poor handling of floods and terrorism, citing unpreparedness, governance failure, and growing insecurity across many regions under Al-Shabaab control.
The National Consultative Council is declared “dead,” with opposition blaming President Mohamud for ignoring dialogue with regional states and political stakeholders.
They warn Somalia risks returning to one-party rule as the President centralizes power and sidelines dissenting voices in government and parliament.
Amid tensions, President Mohamud launched the Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP), becoming its leader and 2026 presidential candidate.
JSP appointed four deputies: Laftagareen, Sadia Samatar, PM Hamza Barre, and Deputy PM Salah Jama—uniting key federal and regional leaders.
Hirshabelle and Galmudug leaders also joined JSP, raising concerns about election delays and weakened regional autonomy under federal political consolidation.
These state leaders haven’t held elections despite expired terms, prompting criticism that their alliance with Mohamud shields them from accountability.
President Mohamud now pushes a unified, direct election model—Somalia’s first since 1969—despite insecurity and lack of broad political consensus.
Jubaland, Puntland, and opposition leaders oppose the reform, accusing Mohamud of seeking to rig elections while Al-Shabaab controls vast territories.
They argue no credible vote can happen without agreement, security, and functioning institutions in militant-controlled or politically unstable regions.
President Mohamud has one year left in office, raising questions about whether he’ll ensure peaceful transition or repeat past confrontations.
Ironically, Mohamud once opposed this same election model under Farmaajo but now champions it, drawing accusations of hypocrisy and inconsistency.
The opposition demands national dialogue, regional elections, and limits on executive power to avoid deeper political and security collapse.
They urge international partners to support democracy and federalism while opposing efforts to entrench presidential control or bypass the constitution.
Somalia risks political chaos if President Mohamud and opposition refuse compromise, as U.S. rejects election reforms citing lack of broad consensus.
