Former Somali president warns against unilateral elections without consensus

Wednesday April 22, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) — Former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has issued a sharp warning against any unilateral or incomplete election process, saying Somalia’s long-running electoral dispute can only be settled through a broad national consensus.

Addressing journalists in Mogadishu on Wednesday, Sheikh Sharif said the country’s political strains must be tackled through an inclusive dialogue that brings together all political and social stakeholders. He cautioned that decisions made without agreement would only widen existing rifts.

He said Somalia’s leadership cannot be built through coercion or exclusion, stressing that consultation and shared understanding are the only foundations for legitimate political outcomes.

“There can be no one person saying alone that I will stay until 2027. That is shameful and unacceptable,” Sheikh Sharif said, adding that the current political dispute poses a serious threat to national stability.

He warned that any election held without a political settlement could unsettle the country and undo fragile progress in state-building. “A fraudulent election will not take place. It would be a great misfortune if the term ends without a political agreement on the electoral process,” he said.

Sheikh Sharif urged immediate national talks, describing them as the only credible way to break the deadlock, and warned against moves that could further polarize political actors or weaken security.

His comments come as opposition groups step up consultations over Somalia’s political future, especially with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term set to expire on May 15, 2026.

The federal government says parliament has already extended its mandate by one year after approving constitutional amendments. Opposition leaders have rejected that position, calling it unconstitutional and unilateral, and accuse the administration of pressing ahead without broad consensus.