Ex-Somali Leader Says Hassan Sheikh May Be Near Political Downfall
“It is unfortunate that someone who has twice served as president and holds a PhD cannot understand that his time has ended and that an electoral agreement is needed,” Sharif told supporters, in comments that deepened the standoff...
MOGADISHU, Somalia, May 17 – Former Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has launched a sharp attack on Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, accusing him of trampling on the constitution after comments that suggested his mandate would run until May 15, 2027.
Sharif warned that Somalia was drifting into a perilous political moment and urged leaders to reach a broad agreement on how elections should be held, instead of what he described as efforts to prolong the government’s time in office.
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“It is unfortunate that someone who has twice served as president and holds a PhD cannot understand that his time has ended and that an electoral agreement is needed,” Sharif told supporters, in comments that deepened the standoff between the administration and opposition figures.
The former head of state stressed that the opposition was choosing legal and political avenues, not violence.
“We are not carrying weapons, we are carrying the law,” he said, adding that disputes in the country should be settled through dialogue and constitutional mechanisms rather than military power.
Sharif also said he and Said Abdullahi Deni were worried about the direction of the country, and cautioned against any move to extend the current administration’s mandate.
“Today, when he stands and says he has added another year to his term, I believe he is standing in the very place where his political downfall could begin,” Sharif said.
He brushed aside any attempt at intimidation by government security forces, saying opposition leaders were not frightened by military vehicles or armed personnel.
“We are people who trust in Allah and know what we stand for,” he added.
Sharif further accused the government of political repression and arbitrary arrests against critics, saying young people and politicians had been detained simply for opposing the administration.
He said the dispute was not rooted in clan politics, but in a constitutional and political struggle with consequences for Somalia’s future.
“We want to save our country from illegality, power grabs, and repression,” he said.
The remarks land at a time of mounting political tension in Somalia, as disputes over elections, constitutional reforms, and the legitimacy of federal institutions’ mandates continue to sharpen divisions.
AXADLETM
