Shifting Alliances: Somali President Turns to Clan Support Amid Political Turmoil
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AXADLE) – With a surge in political dissent and fragmentation, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has sought refuge in traditional clan alliances for much-needed support.
On Monday at Villa Somalia, the presidential palace, insiders revealed that President Mohamud convened an important huddle with notable figures from the Marehan clan, including two officials from regional administrations and several lawmakers.
Notable attendees included both Mohamud Sayid Adan, Vice President of Jubbaland, and Ali Eid, Vice President of Galmudug.
This critical gathering focused on the president’s escalating political hurdles and his appeal for the Marehan clan’s endorsement. A particularly prickly topic arose concerning the proposed stationing of Egyptian troops in Somalia, which has triggered alarm among the Marehan people, who reside along the Gedo and Galgadud borders.
Opposition from the Marehan regarding this deployment has been loud and clear, stemming from worries that it could intensify conflicts with Ethiopia.
The rift between the president and the Marehan clan has deepened since July, when clan militants intercepted a hefty stash of arms being smuggled into Abudwak from across the Ethiopian frontier. Reports suggest these weapons were financed by arms traders and political operatives linked to President Mohamud. Despite government entreaties to persuade the Marehan clan to surrender the seized arms, these overtures quickly fell flat.
Furthermore, the discussions delved into President Mohamud’s game plan for the upcoming 2026 elections, where he champions a one-person, one-vote voting model. This initiative has drawn skepticism due to persistent security issues and the absence of a referendum to validate such an electoral process, which would follow the current federal government’s term.
A parliamentarian involved in the talks pointed out that the president also spotlighted the ongoing constitutional amendments, a maneuver he continues to promote despite facing pushback from prominent political adversaries.
Marehan representatives reportedly voiced their concerns regarding these constitutional shifts. They asserted that multiple political factions have similarly resisted these changes, deeming them as one-sided.
In light of the electoral proposal, the Marehan delegates conveyed their intention to gather further insights before determining their position. Concurrently, President Mohamud has urged the clan to articulate their expectations in return for their political allegiance.
This outreach illustrates the president’s strategy to galvanize political support amid a treacherous landscape, as he navigates intricate clan dynamics, burgeoning opposition, and intensifying discontent regarding his administration’s maneuvers.
