Mogadishu, Somalia — In a sharply worded press conference on Saturday, former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed accused the Federal Government of undermining the country’s Constitution and jeopardizing national unity through a series of what he described as “misguided actions.”
Speaking to the reporters in Mogadishu, Mr. Ahmed, who served as president from 2009 to 2012, warned that violations of the Constitution by federal authorities could have far-reaching consequences.
“If the Federal Government disregards the Constitution, others will not respect it,” he said. “The Somali people need unity and adherence to the law.”
Mr. Ahmed expressed particular concern over the deployment of federal troops to Jubaland, a region in southern Somalia that has long been a flashpoint for tensions between the federal government and local authorities.
He argued that such moves were not based on sound governance or strategic priorities.
“Basro is under Al-Shabaab’s control, and they are active in nearby areas,” he said, referring to a small farming town, situated approximately 30km north of Mogadishu.
“With that in mind, deploying troops to places like Raskamboni does not reflect a coherent state-building strategy.”
The former president also criticized the government’s handling of constitutional reforms, which he said had resulted in the existence of two competing Constitutions. This, he argued, has led to political fragmentation and weakened the country’s institutional framework.
“These issues have created divisions and created tensions with states like Puntland and Jubaland, putting national unity at risk,” Mr. Ahmed said. “What benefit is there in discussing a law in Parliament when the very entities that created it are divided?”
Mr. Ahmed’s statement comes as Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is pushing ahead with a controversial popular elections, with questions swirling around the feasibility of the goal in a nation which faces pressing security challenges and political crisis.
In addition, Mr. Ahmed denounced the approval of a new electoral commission, asserting it had not followed proper legal procedures and stressed the importance of an impartial and trustworthy commission to ensure fair elections.
“There is no better electoral process than one-person-one-vote,” he said. “But we must ask ourselves: is the groundwork for this in place? Is security assured? Are political parties and necessary legal frameworks ready?”
On the issue of security, Mr. Ahmed voiced concerns over potential conflicts between federal troops and forces aligned with Jubaland.
“Creating a situation where these groups are pitted against each other, potentially leading to bloodshed, is irresponsible and unnecessary,” he said. “Troops must protect national interests, not escalate tensions.”
The former president also issued a stark warning about the misuse of Somalia’s key governance pillars—its Constitution, security forces, and economy—which, he said, has sown distrust and instability.
“Mismanagement of these foundational elements undermines progress,” Mr. Ahmed said. “Somalia is in a recovery phase, moving away from the scars of civil war toward statehood. We must ensure that personal interests do not derail this journey.”
The Federal Government has not yet responded to Mr. Ahmed’s remarks.
—
This report will be updated with additional details, analysis, and developments. Please check back soon for the latest updates.
——————————————————————
Have questions, tips, opinion pieces, or stories to share? Email us at info@somalistandard.com.
We’d love to hear from you!
