Former Somali President Warns of Deepening Crisis, Urges Inclusive National Dialogue

MOGADISHU — Former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo warned that Somalia is sliding into a deeper crisis, citing deteriorating security, political, economic and social conditions, and urging national dialogue and unity to avert further instability.

In a statement issued Monday, Farmaajo said the country faces “serious security challenges,” accusing the current government of failing to adequately counter the threat posed by terrorist groups. He warned that fragmentation within the national army has weakened the country’s defense capabilities at a dangerous moment.

The former leader also voiced alarm over renewed clan-based armed conflicts in several regions, calling them a dangerous setback for peace and stability. He said the return of such violence risks unraveling gains made in recent years and could further polarize communities.

Beyond the security arena, Farmaajo argued that Somalia’s governance has strayed from the agreed constitutional path. He said major political decisions must rest on broad national consensus, cautioning that authoritarian political practices would deepen divisions and undermine state-building efforts already under strain.

On the economy, Farmaajo pointed to rising inflation and growing public distrust, urging authorities to prioritize protection for vulnerable communities hit hardest by drought and recurring humanitarian crises. He said the government should use every available mechanism to deliver relief where it is most urgently needed.

Framing his message as a call to collective action, Farmaajo appealed to the federal government, federal member states, traditional elders, civil society, and citizens to join in safeguarding national stability, security and constitutional order. He urged a stepped-up, coordinated campaign against terrorism alongside a political reconciliation process anchored in inclusive dialogue and broad participation.

Key points from Farmaajo’s statement include:

• Security: Somalia faces “serious security challenges,” with a fragmented national army weakening national defense.
• Clan violence: The resurgence of clan-based armed conflicts in multiple regions threatens peace and stability.
• Governance: Deviation from the agreed constitutional framework requires a reset toward decisions based on national consensus.
• Political conduct: Authoritarian practices risk deepening divisions and stalling state-building efforts.
• Economy and relief: Rising inflation and public distrust underscore the need to protect vulnerable communities affected by drought and recurrent humanitarian crises.
• Way forward: A united front by government, member states, elders, civil society and citizens should pair stronger counterterrorism efforts with inclusive political reconciliation.

Farmaajo’s intervention places emphasis on process and legitimacy as much as policy. By pressing for consensus-based decision-making and a more inclusive dialogue, he seeks to steer the political conversation back to the constitutional roadmap and away from unilateral moves that he suggests could fray national cohesion.

His warning on the security front focuses on the operational consequences of institutional fragmentation, arguing that divisions within the armed forces leave the country less able to confront violent threats. The renewed outbreak of clan conflicts, he added, risks opening additional fronts of instability at a time when resources and trust are already stretched.

On the humanitarian and economic fronts, Farmaajo’s call underscores the urgency of targeted support for those hardest hit by rising costs and recurring shocks. He framed social protection and the rule of law as integral to restoring public confidence, alongside renewed coordination between Mogadishu and federal member states.

Farmaajo concluded by calling for unity of purpose to safeguard national stability, intensify the fight against terrorism and revive a constitutional, consensus-driven path forward through inclusive political dialogue.

By Ali Musa

Axadle Times international–Monitoring.