Farmaajo blames Hassan Sheikh as Somalia political rift deepens over unrest
In a statement issued on Thursday, Farmaajo said the president had brushed aside repeated appeals for consensus, tampered with the electoral and constitutional process, and sought to remain in office after his mandate expired.
by BRIAN ORUTAThursday June 4, 2026
Former Somalia president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo/HANDOUT
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Former Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo has sharply criticized President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, accusing him of fueling the latest wave of political turmoil and deadly violence in Mogadishu as the country slips deeper into a constitutional and electoral standoff.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Farmaajo said the president had brushed aside repeated appeals for consensus, tampered with the electoral and constitutional process, and sought to remain in office after his mandate expired.
“You alone approved a flawed constitution. You brought in an electoral commission loyal to you, as well as political parties, even while we were telling you to stop,” Farmaajo said.
The rebuke came as heavy gunfire erupted in parts of the Somali capital amid rising anger over Hassan Sheikh’s controversial move to extend his stay in office by one year after his term ended on May 15.
The situation worsened after reports surfaced that government security forces had moved against opposition leaders ahead of planned protests against the extension. Residents said gunfire was heard in several areas of Mogadishu, stoking fears that the political crisis could spill further out of control.
Farmaajo said the president had abandoned efforts to secure a broad political settlement and instead turned to coercion.
“Your term of office is over. You were supposed to bring a broad-based consensus agreement. Today, you are responsible for fighting and displacement. You cannot hold the country by force. Return to dialogue,” he said.
The former head of state also extended sympathy to those caught in the violence and defended the right of citizens to protest peacefully.
“I am saddened by those who died, and may Allah heal those who were wounded. The people have the right to protest; it is a constitutional right. Why are you denying them that right and fighting them?” Farmaajo added.
Reports indicate that former president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former prime minister Hassan Ali Khaire were also caught up in the security operation and came under gunfire as tensions escalated.
The United States has also voiced concern over the deteriorating situation, calling for differences to be resolved through peaceful dialogue and urging Somali leaders to avoid actions that could further destabilize the country.
The latest crisis underscores Somalia’s long-running struggle to build durable democratic institutions more than three decades after the collapse of the government of former president Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.
Although the country has made gains through transitional institutions and the creation of a federal government, disagreements over elections, constitutional change and power-sharing have continued to trigger political deadlock.
With opposition figures, regional administrations and international partners all sounding the alarm, pressure is growing on Somalia’s leadership to return to negotiations and keep the crisis from sliding into broader instability.
